More than 30,000 merchant seaman who were killed in the Second World War have been remembered with the ceremony at Sulphur Point.
Tauranga's master mariners, seafarers and families gathered at the merchant navy memorial for the second time since Merchant Navy Day has been commemorated in New Zealand.
The cadets from T.S Chatham raising the flag.
Captain Kenneth Camp says the day has gone extremely well.
'We had a company of around 100 people, with the Tauranga Brass Band playing and the Sea Cadets acting as a guard of honour for us.”
The memorial involved the raising of three flags and the laying of a wreath at the bottom of the propeller at Sulphur Point.
'The wreath is in a shape of an anchor and is decorated with poppies.”
Kenneth says similar ones will be used by the RSA and the Merchant Navy at other memorials.
2 comments
Merchant Seamen
Posted on 03-09-2011 15:05 | By Glen Clova
It must be remembered that the Merchant Navy lost more men than any other service during the 2 world war, and have been ignored till now so its nice to see their sacrifice being honored.
Info please
Posted on 04-09-2011 12:35 | By maggiebop
What a shame this day is not brought to the public attention beforehand so those who have past family or memories can choose involvement. My father was a merchant seaman and we were regaled with many stories - who knows how many were actually true!!
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