The British Merchant Navy’s official Red Ensign flag was raised above St Peter’s Green on Monday to mark annual Merchant Navy Day.
The ceremony was especially poignant for South Kesteven District Council Cabinet member Cllr Patsy Ellis. Her brother Charlie Ellis, who joined the Merchant Navy when he was 16 and in the 1980’s became the youngest person to be promoted to Captain, died just a year ago.
Cllr Ellis, who has joint Cabinet responsibility for Environment and Waste, joined fellow councillors and Merchant Navy representatives to honour the vital role of merchant seafarers past, present and future. She said:
“Today has meant a huge amount to me. We have had five generations of merchant seafarers in our family, with each generation naming a son Charlie. To be able to remember my brother today has been incredibly special.”
Captain Charlie Ellis
Rev Dr Peter Stevenson delivered a prayer including thanks for the life of Charlie Ellis.
He paid tribute to the bravery, selflessness and fortitude of sailors who still go about their work without credit or recognition, saying:
“Around 95% of everything we use arrives by sea and the maritime sector brings a great financial boost to the UK, amounting to an estimated £26.5bn of the UK’s GDP.
“During wartime merchant sailors ensured that supplies were landed safely. It could not have been done without them, and still cannot.”
Council Chairman Cllr Gloria Johnson welcomed guests, and said: “I very much hope you will support this campaign by Seafarers UK to remember the sacrifices, salute the courage and support the future of the often unsung personnel of our Merchant Navy.”
Captain John Sail, Merchant Navy Association National Vice Chairman, read the Sea Farers Poem with the Act of Homage read by Royal British Legion representative John Knightall.
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