MERCHANT Navy Day was celebrated in Aberystwyth at the weekend with the raising of the Red Ensign flag at key locations in the town.

On Sunday, 3 September, the Merchant Navy flag was hoisted at Ceredigion County Council’s offices in Aberystwyth and Aberaeron, as well as Aberystwyth’s RNLI lifeboat station, the harbourmaster’s office and the marina.

A large Red Ensign was also raised at the National Library of Wales, where a number of former and current Merchant Navy mariners had gathered.

Since 2000, Merchant Navy Day has honoured the men and women who kept Britain going during both World Wars, and celebrated the UK’s dependence on modern day merchant seafarers who are responsible for 95 per cent of the UK’s imports.

Less than nine hours after the declaration of war on 3 September 1939, the Donaldson liner ‘Athenia’ was sunk without warning by German U-boat U-30 off the west coast of Ireland, with the loss of 128 lives.

British merchant seamen were at the forefront of the Battle of the Atlantic in their effort to keep open Britain’s tenuous lifelines — transporting troops and bringing home millions of tons of food, oil, raw materials, arms and ammunition.

During the Second World War, 30,248 British merchant seamen lost their lives with the 2,246 British merchant ships sunk.

Aberystwyth’s Merchant Navy Association branch was formed in 2013, holding regular monthly meetings at The Royal Naval Club in Market Street, Aberystwyth.

Ian Lewis, Master Mariner and Chairman of Aberystwyth MNA Branch, said: “We would like to increase the membership and would welcome new members. There is usually a poster in The Royal Naval Club stating when our next meeting will be held.”

Last year, the branch chairman of Aberystwyth Lifeboat and former merchant seaman, became one of the first people to receive a Merchant Navy Medal.

Mark Morgan, who saw almost 50 years of maritime service, is one of just 13 people to be awarded the new state Merchant Navy Medal for Meritorious Service.

Mr Morgan, whose two sons Owen and Evan are in the Merchant Navy, said he was glad that his fellow Merchant Navy seafarers were finally being recognised.

The leader of the council, Cllr Ellen ap Gwynn, said: “As a county with a large number of coastal communities, each with strong historical shipbuilding and seafaring links, we are honoured to recognise and support Merchant Navy day. We recognise the service that sailors in our Merchant Navy have provided to this country in war and in peacetime, and the huge sacrifice made by ordinary seamen during times of conflict.

“We are delighted to take part in Merchant Navy Day again this year and will proudly fly the ensign from our flagpoles as a mark of respect and gratitude.”