About

Merchant Navy Day

What will be happening?

Brixham Future CIC is using the occasion of Merchant Navy Day 2026  to formally unveil an addition to the commemorative heritage boards unveiled in 2025 to mark the end of the Second World  War. The addition commemorates the contribution of the Merchant Navy to allied victory in 1945 and also contains a tribute to the crew of HMS SAUCY, a rescue tug lost to a mine in the Firth of Forth on 4^th September 1940 leading to the loss of 27 lives, many of whom were Merchant Seamen from Brixham.

Following the unveiling there will be a short parade, led by a piper, to the war memorial in Berry Head Road. The event will conclude with a reception at the Constitutional Club in Brixham which will include a presentation on the history of the Merchant Navy.  The event has been paid for from the proceeds of Brixham Lottery

Steve Glanvill, former Merchant Seamen ,Secretary of the organiser, Brixham Future and  member of The Merchant Navy Association said:

“This event is a first for Brixham on Merchant Navy Day  and Brixham Futures which pays formal tribute to the largely unseen work of the MN in two world wars. It is often overlooked that in the Second World War the casualty rate for Merchant Seamen  at 38% was higher than any of the Armed Services. By the end of that war 4700 British Flagged ships had been lost, taking with them 35000 Merchant Seamen”

Where?

Churchill Memorial Gardens, Berry Head Road, Brixham  TQ5 9AB   (dwarf.browser.campers)

Contacts

John Brennan   Brixham Future CIC

johnjosephmbrennan@hotmail.co.uk

01803 852270

Steve Glanvill   Secretary Brixham Future CIC

steveglanvill@uwclub.net

01803 854520

07942 863777

Historical Note

Merchant Navy Day  was  established by HMG on September 3^rd 2000 when Red Ensigns are worn on public and maritime  buildings across the UK. It followed  a decree  of the term “ Merchant Navy” by HM King George V in 1928.