Merchant Navy Association to hold remembrance service at Harrogate war memorial

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A service will be held to mark the annual Merchant Navy Day this week at Harrogate's war memorial.

The remembrance event will take place on Thursday (September 3) at 12pm.

It is expected to last between 30 and 45 minutes. Prayers will be led by members of the clergy from St Peter’s church.

The service will take place exactly 87 years after the sinking of the merchant vessel the Athenia by a German U-boat, just hours after war was declared against Germany, resulting in a great loss of life. 

It is estimated that a further 30,000 merchant seamen lost their lives during the course of the war.

In the wake of global economic disruption resulting from threats to merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz, the importance of the work of merchant seafarers, especially during times of conflict, is clearer than ever.

The public is  invited to attend and take part in the remembrance.

The Harrogate Merchant Navy Association meet on the first Sunday of the month at 2pm in the Park View Club, formerly the Conservative Club.