Honouring Australia’s Merchant Mariners
When your “golden soil” is “girt by sea”, a reliable shipping industry is vital in ensuring “wealth for toil”.
Today on Merchant Navy Day we honour all merchant mariners who have served Australia in times of war.
Australia’s Merchant Navy have played an essential role, actively supporting Australia’s war effort during the World Wars and the Vietnam War. Merchant mariners have often carried out their work in difficult and sometimes extremely dangerous conditions such as those encountered in the Battle of the Atlantic during the Second World War.
Merchant mariners worked with the constant threat of attack from U-Boats, surface raiders, aircraft and sea mines.
During the First and Second World Wars and the Vietnam War, merchant ships and their civilian crew transported service personnel, supplies and equipment. Some merchant ships were also converted into hospital ships for vital wartime medical service.
Today we remember all the mariners from all walks of life who courageously set sail during times of conflict.
Lest we forget.
To learn more about the Merchant Navy, visit our Anzac Portal.
Veterans of the Merchant Navy participating in the Anzac Day March through the city streets lined with crowds of spectators. Melbourne, Vic. 1944-04-25.
Image courtesy of the Australian War Memorial.