Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your
contribution is not tax-deductible.)
PayPal Acct: 
Feedback: 
Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):
| 4/05/26 11:29am | [ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4, [5], 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 ] |
| Subject: Upside down / Not Wanted | |
|
Author: Keith atTregenna (A SILVER BADGE) |
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
Date Posted: 18/03/08 9:40pm In reply to: A J Cannings 's message, "Re: upside down" on 18/03/08 4:10pm I checked with a few people within the MNA(Wales)Barry Branch, consensus is "No Work" as for the reasons in A J Cannings posting, Re: Demise of the Merchant Fleet / Navy and "No Work" hence - No Wages. The notion turning a badge upside down - in wartime - may have or may have not occured. Seeing as a seamans contract ended and monies calculated due were to the minute of a ships demise - The poor souls on board had no time to upturn the Silver Badge and most no crosses on a grave. Although survivors would not have forgot. The idea to wear the badge upside down even on one day a year could catch on, a marvelous thought for Merchant Navy Day ? (A MARK OF FURTHER REMBRANCE, LEST WE FORGET). Not only had a Seaman to endure the "Cruel Sea" etc and so many perish with such a cruel twist as not to be paid, while in a raft etc and the dire consequence families would endure, To grieve, have no money and suffer such loss. "Not Wanted" because you cease to exist in wartime, or your ship has sunk, you are disabled etc - in reality far better than than possibly "No Work" of the 50's etc. I may just wear an upside badge on MN Day (AT TOWER HIll) and when later asked about the badge I wear, will not commence with the old "Maternity Nurse" of yester-year because they understood that and it took less time to explain, I will stand my ground and talk of the "heroes" and hope they do not decide "I wish I had not asked" "Let those who come after see to it that his name be not forgotten". And so with the main man of your beliefs or not, on-side, or not I will pay my respects. ON THIS AND EVERY MERCHANT NAVY DAY, FOR AS LONG AS I CAN. KEITH AT TREGENNA. They Bore the Brunt By Joe Earl They sailed the seas to bear the brunt, They steamed the courses laid, Ten thousand miles their battle front, Unbacked and undismayed. Fine seamen these of our great race, From your seaport or town, They risked their lives with danger faced Until their ship went down. Remember them - they held the line, Won freedom on the way, Remember them - their life was thine - On merchant navy day. J.Earl Aside from officers, cooks and stewards, merchant seafarers did not wear uniforms; ashore, they were identified only by a silver lapel badge bearing the letters MN. These were the men and young boys who wore civilian clothing – they had no uniform like the Army. Navy, and Air Force-all brave men and boys – but they were given a solid “silver badge” to wear in their lapel – with the letters-MN-(Merchant Navy). So those ashore who saw a man and young boy of age to join the three services knew they were in the Merchant Navy. I HAVE HEARD OF A TRUE STORY: "that a young man, home from the sea while travelling home on a tram car in Liverpool during the war, There were a few passengers in uniform. The conductress did not take their fare. On approaching this young man she asked for his fare which he duly paid – she did not see his small “Silver Badge” in his lapel ! (I wish I could have paid his fare" – and truly hope he survived) When we look at the restless sea-Remember Them, For they are not restless anymore-They are at last At peace in the never ending restless sea. They gave so much. “SILVER BADGE” To those who served - our thanks I have been told and corrected often if the petal on my poppy does not point to eleven,11/11. Many say a poppy should have no pertal and in there country a petal does not prevail. One of the earliest I have seen is from WWI, France and it did / does. Maybe it just all means it does not really matter how you remember, as long as you do. (N W ) [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] |