PWSTS Forum for Old Boys, Family and Friends

Andy · PWSTS UK Director

Tower Hill 2012

British Merchant Navy at War · PWSTS Forum Member

IMPORTANT UPDATE

Received from the National MNA

Due to circumstances completely beyond our control, the Service has been cancelled for Sunday 9th September 2012 and we are hoping to hold it on Sunday 16 September 2012 (information will be advised as soon as possible).

The City of London will not allow the event to take place due to the Paralympic Marathon using Great Tower Street turning at Tower Hill tube station. They are concerned that large crowds are expected with issues from a crowd management control and Trinity Square Gardens will be used for broadcast facilities. In addition there would be major issues with traffic for getting coaches to Tower Hill due to the many road closures in the City and the dedicated Olympic routes to Stratford.

Regards,

Tim Brant National Secretary, MNA

British Merchant Navy at War · PWSTS Forum Member

From National MNA today

With reference to yesterdays e-mail, we wish to confirm that we have received permission from the City of London for the Parade and Service to be held on Sunday, 16 September 2012.

Regards,

Tim Brant
National Secretary, MNA

Andy · PWSTS UK Director

Sunday 16 September 2012

Merchant Navy Day Commemorative Service and Reunion

Tower Hill Trinity Square Gardens London

The Royal Naval Volunteer Band Association will lead the parade of Merchant Navy Standards and Standards of other Associations, followed by serving and retired Merchant Seafarers with other Organisations, leaving Mark Lane (Great Tower Street) for Trinity Square Gardens at 12.30 hours.

The Principal Guest, Admiral The Right Honourable Lord West of Spithead GCB DSC PC, will take the salute upon arrival of the Parade in Trinity Square Gardens. The multi-faith Commemorative Service and wreath-laying will be held at the Merchant Navy Memorial.

This Annual Service is held on the Sunday in September close to Merchant Navy Day, 3rd September, in memory of Merchant Seafarers who died in World Wars I and II and in conflicts up to the present day. After the Service, a "Sea of Red Ensigns" will be placed in the lawn at the Sunken Garden, in memory of lost Merchant Seafarers.

Nearest Tube Station: Tower Hill. Nearest Rail Stations: Fenchurch Street and Tower Gateway (DLR)

Attendance Information: Everyone is invited to attend. Medals may be worn.

Contact: T M Brant, National Secretary, Merchant Navy Association.

Tel: 01472 851130 or E:mail: mna.national@virgin.net

Andy · PWSTS UK Director

Due to work commitments Jenny and I wont be able to make it to Tower Hill this year. This is a disappointment for us as we always enjoy our annual PWSTS get-together.

Roger will carry the standard this year but we require a volunteer to co-ordinate all the Old Boys. Does anyone fancy stepping forward?

2011 pictures

thanks to Barry Knell

Andy · PWSTS UK Director

Main web site now has a page for Tower Hill 2012

http://pwsts.org.uk/MND2012.htm

PWSTS Old Boys please let the PWSTS know if you are attending so we can organise for you to RV with other PWSTS Boys attending.

Andy · PWSTS UK Director

MERCHANT NAVY DAY COMMEMORATIVE SERVICE AND REUNION

MERCHANT NAVY MEMORIAL, TOWER HILL, LONDON - SUNDAY, 16th SEPTEMBER 2012

1100 hours Trinity House opens for pre-ordered wreaths to be collected. Please collect early.

1130 hours Gates to Trinity Gardens opened to the public.

Service Programmes and Commemoration Brochure will be available at the gates.

Wherever possible wheelchair and disabled visitors will be directed or assisted to appropriate positions within Trinity Gardens by the Ushers.

1130 hours Guests with invitations to the pre-service reception at Trinity House, Trinity Square, to be greeted by Commodore Bill Walworth OBE RFA (Parade President) and Captain John Sail MNM MNI (MNA National Chairman)

1200 hours The Parade commences to assemble in Mark Lane for the Parade (off Great Tower Street, opposite the Hung, Drawn & Quartered public house) led by the Massed Bands of the Royal Naval Volunteer Band Association, Standard Bearers, Wreath Bearers leading the Parade.

1210 hours Trinity House Guests & Faith Leaders collect their pre-ordered wreaths from the entrance hall of Trinity House and to be ready to be escorted to the area behind the Saluting Dais in Trinity Square Gardens.

The Guard of Honour provided by HMS President form-up inside the North Gate of Trinity Gardens.

1225 hours Admiral The Rt. Hon. The Lord West of Spithead GCB DSC PC, and the Parade President, Commodore Bill Walworth OBE RFA, leave Trinity House and proceed to join the guests behind the Saluting Dais.

The First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope GCB OBE ADC leaves Trinity House to inspect the Guard of Honour from HMS President in Trinity Square Gardens before proceeding to the Saluting Dais

1230 hours The Merchant Navy Parade headed by the Massed Bands of the Royal Navy Volunteer Band Association and the Standards of participating Associations, leave Mark Lane. The Parade proceeds about 300 yards to Trinity Square.

1235 hours The Parade enters Trinity Gardens via the North gate, Honour Guard fall into parade behind Massed Bands of the Royal Naval Volunteer Band Association, with the salute being taken by The First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope GCB OBE ADC supported by Admiral Lord West and Commodore Bill Walworth.

The Parade proceeds along the East path leading towards the World War I Memorial.

The Royal Navy Volunteer Band breaks to the right at the marker before the end of the path, Honour Guard proceed to front of WWll Memorial, whilst the Parade will follow the Standards into the Sunken Garden via the East steps.

Ushers and Sea Scouts in the Sunken Gardens will assist disabled veterans & distribute Service Sheets to marchers. After the parade has cleared the Saluting Dais the Faith Leaders and Trinity House Guests will proceed, via the West path, to the seating area situated between the World War I & II Merchant Navy Memorials followed by The First Sea Lord, Admiral Lord West and Commodore Walworth.

1300 hours The Merchant Navy Day Commemorative Service commences. The multi-faith service will be led by Reverend D Potterton (Principal Chaplin - Sailors Society). Wreaths will be laid after Reveille.

1345 hours After the Service, whilst the Standards leave by the West steps and line the West path for inspection, The First Sea Lord will inspect the Band before moving on to inspect the Standard Bearers. The event will conclude with the Massed Bands of the Royal Naval Volunteer Band Association playing a selection entertaining music whilst a Sea of Red Ensigns is placed in the Sunken Garden.

After the Service, ticket holders for the post-service Reception may proceed by foot to All Hallows by the Tower, Byward Street, EC3R 5BJ which is just across the road from Trinity Gardens, within easy walking distance.

Vintage Port · Ex PWSTS Standard Bearer

So..... what a B.lls up!

A very irate and harrassed police officer ordering the parade to march off long before time! the band had fallen out, but he ordered them to form up and march off! Many standards were still coming down the road towards the parade even as we marched off. the whole parade arrived at the gardens, with none of the top brass having yet left their drinks in Trinity House. We were then asked to vote as to should we go round again!

It was not the fault of the MNA, just the Met police!

I know that the Vindicaterix lads have sent in a strong complaint as they feel that this is just one more insult to the Merchant Navy and our fallen shipmates.

However, it was again great to see all the regular faces gathered round the "creeper's" picnic basket (Maybe the next recipient of a MN medal for services to thirsty seamen)?

Great to see you all,
My regards,
Roger.

P.S. look out for a spectral presence on this site soon

Colin · PWSTS Forum Member

Sorry to hear it didn't go so well.

One of the things that I was impressed with as Lynda and I travelled the past year around the whole coast of Norh America is the memorials to merchant seaman and fishermen, there were several seaports that recognised countries involved with the Atlantic convoys.

Andy · PWSTS UK Director

2012

Photos now on the web site http://pwsts.org.uk/MND2012.htm

Andy · PWSTS UK Director

Well done lads, a good turn out considering what a busy year its been for everyone. Shame about the Metpol not getting their act together. Not making excuses but they have been stretched to the limit this year. I hope to see you all at the next event. Great photos on the main site, thanks Steve and Dave. Well done the Creeper.

Andy · PWSTS UK Director

I can see you Roger but where is everyone else?????

JOHN LOCK · PWSTS Forum Moderator

Andy,

We were already in the sunken garden, having already marched in with the band too early (the Met's fault) the standard bearers & wreath layers where asked to go around again to take the salute from the top brass, as they were still having their drinks on the first march past.

Regards John.

(P.S. posted badges today)