H.M. The King’s Message. September. 1939:

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H.M. The King’s Message. September. 1939:

"In these anxious days I would like to express to all Officers and Men and in The British Merchant Navy and The British Fishing Fleets my confidence in their unfailing determination to play their vital part in defense. To each one I would say: Yours is a task no less essential to my people’s experience than that allotted to the Navy, Army and Air Force. Upon you the Nation depends for much of its foodstuffs and raw materials and for the transport of its troops overseas. You have a long and glorious history, and I am proud to bear the title “Master of the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets” I know that you will carry out your duties with resolution and with fortitude, and that high chivalrous traditions of your calling are safe in your hands. God keep you and prosper you in your great task."

H.M. The King’s Message. September. 1939

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“Let those who come after see to it that his name be not forgotten". Irish War Memorial: (Unknown)

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“Say not in grief ‘he is no more’ but live in thankfulness that he was”. Hebrew proverb.

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"Our future is lost in our past,

Make the past the future,
or go down with the ship". (Unknown)

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An original December 25th 1939 dated Naval Message to ALL BRITISH MERCHANT SHIPS from H.M. THE KING............... message reads as follows.............

IT HAS NOT BEEN POSSIBLE FOR ME TO SEND A CHRISTMAS CARD TO EACH MEMBER OF THE BRITISH MERCHANT NAVY AND FISHING FLEETS AS I HAVE DONE TO MEMBERS OF THE FIGHTING FORCES, BECAUSE OUR SHIPS ARE SO WIDELY SCATTERED OVER THE SEVEN SEAS. INSTEAD I SEND TO EACH OF YOU THIS PERSONAL CHRISTMAS MESSAGE OF GOOD WILL AND GOOD CHEER.

YOU ARE FACING THE SPECIAL PERILS WHICH IN THESE DAYS SURROUND THE SEAMEN, WITH A COOLNESS, COURAGE AND FORTITUDE WHICH ARE THE ADMIRATION OF US ALL AT HOME AND I KNOW THAT I SPEAK NOT ONLY FOR MYSELF BUT FOR ALL YOUR FELLOW COUNTRYMEN, WHEN I WISH YOU A HAPPY XMAS AND A GOOD LANDFALL.

GEORGE R.I.

25th December 1939

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The fourth service:

“…there is one Service to which I must make special reference. It has not been, and is not classified as a fighting Service and yet it has to face the same perils as some of the others but with less chance of hitting back….I refer of course to the Merchant Navy.” So said Sir William Dobbie, wartime Governor of Malta.

LINK: www.merchantnavyunsungheroes.co.uk/the-fourth-service.html