This year’s Merchant Navy Day Parade will be on Sunday 6th September at 12noon at the Merchant Navy War Memorial, Trinity Square (See HERE for a map. The nearest tube station is Tower Hill). Thirsts will be quenched at the Liberty Bounds after the parade.
The London Branch will be there in force – with the London Standard being unfurled by Gordon Monks our standard bearer and the National Standard by Brian Taylor our National Standard Bearer. Wreaths will be laid for and on behalf of the Malta and London Branches.
MERCHANT NAVY DAY COMMEMORATIVE SERVICE
SUNDAY 6th SEPTEMBER 2015
11.00 hours Trinity House opens for pre-ordered wreaths to be collected. Please collect early.
11.30 hours Gates to Trinity Gardens are opened to the public. Service programmes and commemorative 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.
11.30 hours Guest with invitations to the pre-service reception at Trinity House, Trinity Square, to be greeted by Commodore and the MNA President.
12.00 hours The band of HM Forces, Standard Bearers, Wreath Bearers and Marchers start to assemble for the Parade.
Any non-marching wreath bearers please make themselves known to an Usher.
12.10 hours Faith leaders and Trinity House guests 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 will be in position in Trinity Square gardens
12.20 hours The principal guest, Admiral the Lord West of Spithead GCB DSC and the parade president, Commodore, leave Trinity House, inspect the guard of honour in Trinity Square gardens and proceed to the saluting dais.
12.30 hours The Merchant Navy parade headed by the band and the Standards of participating Associations, leave. The parade proceeds about 300 yards to Trinity Square.
12.35 hours The parade arrives at Trinity Square, entering the gardens through the North gate, with the salute being taken by Admiral The Lord West of Spithead supported by the RFA Commodore.
The parade proceeds along the east path leading towards the World War 1 Memorial. The band wheels to the right at the marker before the end of the path whilst the parade will follow the standards into the sunken garden via the east steps. Ushers on duty at the sunken garden to assist disabled and wheelchair bound veterans. After the parade has passed the saluting dais the faith leaders and Trinity House guest will proceed, via the west path, to the seating area situated between the WW1 & 2 merchant navy memorials followed by Admiral Lord West of Spithead and the RFA Commodore.
13.00 hours The merchant navy day commemorative service commences. The multi-faith service will be led by Rev Potterton (Seafarers Society). Wreaths will be laid during the service.
13.45 hours The parade will be dismissed, standards leave by the west steps and line the west path for inspection. The event will conclude with the band playing a selection entertaining music and the placing of a sea of red ensigns in the sunken garden.
ENTRY TO THE RECEPTIONS IS BY TICKET ONLY AND PERSONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC IDENTIFICATION SUCH AS A PASSPORT, DRIVING LICENCE SHOULD BE CARRIED