THE RED ENSIGN

On all the seas and rivers where British seamen go,
From the tropics to the edges of where the icebergs grow,
You will see the ruddy bunting of bright or smoky red,
It’s our Merchant Navy Ensign flying overhead.
　
Many an eye has danced at our banner flying true,
Our hearts and souls are British and our colours too,
Whipping in defiance when white waves are below,
It flew above the vanquished and defeated foe.

No one should prevent us from hoisting it by day,
Since Eighteen twenty four it’s prominence held sway,
Either flying in the breeze when trading near and far,
Or draped upon a coffin when a seaman’s crossed the bar.

It’s more than just a symbol of a nation brave and free,
Not only just an emblem proclaiming liberty,
For the showing of our `duster` from gaff or lofty spar,
Sets pride among our mariners, no matter where they are.

The Merchant Navy, with Allied comrades, night and day, in weather fair or foul, faces not only the ordinary perils of the sea but the sudden assaults of war from beneath the waters or from the sky. Your first task is to bring to port the cargoes vital for us at home and for our armies abroad and we trust your tenacity and resolve to see this stern task through.

Sir Winston Churchill 1941

I consider the protection of our trade the most essential service that can be performed.

Admiral lord Nelson to Captain Benjamin Hallowell. 1804

My Mate Len

Leonard Dibb-Western travelled to Downing Street to meet the Prime Minister and received his fifth war medal.

The 88-year-old was a member of the Merchantl Navy who took part in a convoy to Russia in February 1944.

Nearly 70 years on, he has now received an Arctic Star medal and an apology from Mr Cameron that it had taken so long to recognise war veterans’ bravery.

Mr Cameron told the survivors at a special ceremony: “I am only sorry that it has taken 70 years to get to here and to say thank you for what you did.

You were involved in the most important struggle of the last 100 years when you were supplying one of our allies in the battle to defeat Hitler.

“You are a group of heroes.”

Mr Dibb-Western, who lives in Worle, said he was ‘very proud’ to receive the award and believes he is the only one in North Somerset to have an Arctic Star.

The convoy sailed to Russia in 1944 but its progress was blocked by ice, and he believes that, had the weather been clearer, they would have been bombed by German planes.

And their journey back months later was equally hazardous, with the crew told on arrival back in the UK they had narrowly avoided 15 German U-boats.

After meeting the Prime Minister, the veterans were taken to HMS Belfast on the River Thames for a celebration.

I joined the Sussex Trader on 24th. Jan.1961 in Birkenhead sailing for Casablanca - Durban,and  East London - In South Africa, then to Kobe and Nagoya in Japan - then Freemantle in Australia to load grain, returning to Rotterdam via the Suez Canal, Paying off on the 8th. July 1961