
At 12.30 on 3 September, Nautilus members will be joining dignitaries from the maritime community on Tower Hill in London for the annual Merchant Navy Day Commemorative Service.
The focus this year will be upon the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic. Air Vice Marshall Andrew Roberts of the Coastal Command & Maritime Air Association will attend, as Coastal Command provided the air cover for the many convoys that crossed the Atlantic during the Second World War.
The event will start with a private reception at Trinity House hosted by Merchant Navy Association president Vivien Foster OBE and chairman Captain Ian Hodge.
Then, the Royal British Legion will parade their colours ahead of a march-past of Merchant Navy veterans. The salute will be taken by Captain Ian McNaught, Deputy Master of Trinity House, accompanied by Lord West of Spithead, himself a Falklands veteran.
Over 50 wreaths will be laid by veterans and guests, including representatives of Nautilus International.
Members of the public are very welcome to attend the service and watch the proceedings, and we hope a large number of Nautilus members and MN veterans will be present and will renew acquaintances from past years.
If you are interested in taking part in the march-past of MN veterans, you can find out more about how to join the Merchant Navy Association at www.mna.org.uk.
Captain Charles Woodward
More letters
Britain's WW2 government acknowledged Merchant Navy sacrifice
As you will know, this year marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day. I enclose a copy of a transmission, sent by telegraphy in May 1945, from the Admiralty to 'all ships', expressing the victory message to the Merchant Navy, from the minister of war transport.
Warm QM2 welcome for Cunard war veteran
Knowing that we would be marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day this year, I was honoured recently to welcome onboard a Merchant Navy and Cunard veteran of the Second World War.
New addition to Hull historic trail celebrates maritime education
On 27 March 2025 at 12 noon, the Old Boys of the Hull Trinity House School Association and the Hull Trinity House Brethren held a ceremony to celebrate the work of Hull Trinity House School over more than two centuries.