Barbados Sea Cadets responsible for maintenance of Merchant Navy memorial i
Orwell Quay, Ipswich, UK, Merchant Navy Memorial was the location for Lieutenant Colonel J. W. David L. G. Clarke, GA, CVO, ADC of Barbados Defence Force, who accepted a Shield on Behalf of The Barbados Sea cadets. At the ceremony, Capt. Tim Macquire, Merchant Navy Ipswich, in his introductory remarks, thanked Lt. Col David Clarke for taking time out of his busy schedule on his recent visit to London to be there.
The Barbados Sea Cadets were delegated to look after the Merchant Navy memorial in the Military Cemetery in Gravesend St. Michael, which is incidentally engraved with the names of the lost seamen of WW2. After discussions, Barbados Sea cadets and the Ipswich Branch of the Merchant Navy Association decided to award a shield annually to the Cadet of the Year.
After accepting the shield from President Capt. Geoff Hartgrove AFNI, Lt. Colonel Clarke also laid a wreath on behalf of the Ipswich West Indian Community. This was to remember and honour the great sacrifice of all seafarers who were lost to the world’s oceans so that we may live in peace today.
Capt. Tim Macquire emphasised the role of the Merchant Navy during the World War 2 Battle of the Atlantic and its transportation of supplies to the UK and its allies, mainly fuel oil from the ports of Venezuela and Trinidad. Barbados’ geographical location was important as many ships were lost to the East of the island. One of the most notable merchant ship attacks was the Canadian cargo ship Cornwallis, which was courageously sunk in Carlisle Bay, Bridgetown, by U-boat 514 on 11th September 1942.
“What is often overlooked is the fact that the submarines, despite being enemies, allowed merchant seafarers time to use their lifeboats and escape. The crew of the submarine would ask the seafarers for name, destination, and cargo type and offered assistance by way of water and directions to the nearest port or land, often Barbados.
This act of humanity amidst the chaos of war is a testament to the resilience and courage of the seafarers and the submariners.” said Capt. Tim Macquire, Merchant Navy Ipswich (MNI).
Ipswich has a sizable proportion of Barbadian residents, and the ceremonial party consisted of several Barbadians and representatives from other Caribbean nations. These included Sandra Smith, the Hon. Secretary of the Ipswich Merchant Navy Association, and Nigel Holigan, the Chairperson of a local Barbadian Association.
