Merchant Navy Day 2015

A service is being held at Dover Town Hall for Merchant Navy Day on Thursday 3 September from 10.30am, followed by a wreath laying ceremony on Dover Seafront at 12 noon. The service and ceremony are being organised by the Chairman of Dover District Council, Cllr Sue Chandler, with the Dover and District Merchant Navy Memorial Fund, and all are welcome to attend.

Standard bearers will march into the Town Hall at 10.30am, where there will be a Service of Celebration from 10.35am. The service will be followed by an address from Mr Donald Hunter, the Founder & Fundraiser of the Dover and District Merchant Navy Memorial Fund, and a speech from the Chairman of Dover District Council.

An official wreath laying ceremony is also being held at the Merchant Navy War Memorial on Marine Parade on Dover Seafront at 12 noon.

The event will tie in with a national campaign encouraging people to fly the Red Ensign on 3 September, which is National Merchant Navy Day. The Red Ensign has been the recognised flag of the British Merchant Navy since 1854. The campaign is supported by the Seafarers UK charity and the Merchant Navy Association.

The president of Seafarers UK, HRH The Earl of Wessex, has endorsed the national campaign, saying: "On this Merchant Navy Day, I very much hope you will support this campaign to remember the sacrifices, salute the courage and support the future of the often unsung personnel of our Merchant Navy."