MN Day 2008

2008 Merchant Navy Commemorative Service

The Merchant Navy Day Commemorative Service
Trinity Gardens Tower Hill London
Sunday 7th September 2008

PWSTS Standard A band of HM Royal Marines will lead the parade of Merchant Navy Standards and Standards of other Associations, followed by serving and retired Merchant Seafarers with other Organisations, leaving Mark Lane (Great Tower Street) for Trinity Square Gardens at 12.30 hours. Commodore Bob Thornton RFA will take the salute upon arrival of the Parade in Trinity Square Gardens. The multi-faith Commemorative Service and wreath-laying will be held at the Merchant Navy Memorial. This Annual service is held on the Sunday in September nearest to Merchant Navy Day, 3rd September, in memory of Merchant Seafarers who died in World Wars I and II and in conflicts up to the present day. Admiral The Lord West of Spithead GCB DSC will be the Guest of Honour. After the service, a "Sea of Red Ensigns" will be placed in the lawn at the Sunken Garden, in memory of lost Merchant Seafarers - click here for more details.

Start Time: 12:30 hours (5 minute march to Trinity Gardens)
Venue: Merchant Navy Memorial, Trinity Square Gardens, Tower Hill, London EC3N 4AA
Nearest Tube Station: Tower Hill
Nearest Rail Stations: Fenchurch Street and Tower Gateway (DLR)
Attendance Information: Everyone is invited to attend. Medals may be worn. Infirm Merchant Navy personal will be allowed in the lower gardens prior to and during the service.
MNA web page link

Before the service - At 12:00 hours all PWSTS Old Boys will please rendezvous in the lower gardens for a photograph. Last year we tried to do this after the service and we missed some of the lads off.

LIST OF PWSTS BOYS ATTENDING

As normal all PWSTS Boys, plus their partners if they so wish, will meet in Trinity Gardens at 11:45 hrs enabling us to march together as a group. At 12:00 hrs we will have a PWSTS group photograph in the Lower Gardens (like below). Our partners and those not wanting to march can remain in the Upper Gardens. (If you have never been before click here for previous years photographs). Dress for PWSTS Boys is blazer, PWSTS badge and tie, plus medals (If you don't have a blazer don't worry but please attend smartly dressed. Other Merchant Navy badges/insignia etc are, of course, perfectly acceptable). Only infirm Merchant Navy personnel and those marching are allowed in the Lower Gardens during the service.
Please let us know ASAP if you are able to attend. Thank you.

We are pleased to announce that Bob Ball (PWSTS 1941) has been approached by the Merchant Navy Association with an invitation to read an extract from the Kohima Epitaph at this year’s service. Bob has accepted their invitation and the PWSTS is extremely proud that this honour has been bestowed on one of our Old Boys.

List of those who have informed us that they will be attending:

1. Roger Head (PWSTS 1958) UK Standard Bearer
2. Bob Ball (PWSTS 1941) Reading an extract from the Kohima Epitaph
3. Andy and Jenny Gale (Honorary PWSTS 2006)
4. Paul Walsh and family (PWSTS 1975) Wreath Layer
5. Patrick Sullivan (PWSTS 1955) Representing the PWSTS at HMS President
6. Paul and Mandy Ditchfield (PWSTS 1962)
7. Barry and Pauline Knell (PWSTS 1962)
8. Alan and Maureen Carman (PWSTS 1959)
9. Tony and Kath Sullivan (PWSTS 1952)
10. Captain Ronald Andrew Hill (PWSTS 1947)
11. Fred & Joan Honisett (PWSTS 1943)
12. Michael Laycock (PWSTS 1970)
13. Peter JW (PWSTS 1968) and Dennie Richardson
14. Graham (Goody) Goodsell (PWSTS 1961)
15. Roy Pearson (PWSTS 1953)
16. Captain William and Diana Wells (PWSTS 1957)
17. Barry and Mrs Swain (PWSTS 1961)
18. Dave McKay (PWSTS 1955)
19. Steve Tester (PWSTS 1963)
20. Bob and Carole Batchelor (PWSTS 1969)

List of those possibly attending:

1. Barry Swain (PWSTS 1962)

Please click here to let us know that you are attending to support the PWSTS Old Boy's Association