Merchant Navy War Memorial – Liverpool, UK - Maritime Monuments and Memorials on Waymarking.com

During the wars the UK was largely dependent on merchant shipping to keep the country supplied. Because of this merchant shipping became prime targets by the enemy forces.

During the Second World War Liverpool was the main base for the Battle of the Atlantic, in which 36,000 merchant seamen died. In addition it was also the main point of entry for imported fuel, food and raw materials.

Although the contribution to the war effort by the Merchant Navy was in many ways as great as some of the armed forces they didn’t tend to get the recognition they deserved. After years of campaigning for recognition of their sacrifice this memorial was erected in 1998 on the Pier Head in Liverpool. Near to here are a number of ferry terminals and also docks.

The memorial was unveiled by John Prescott, the Deputy Prime Minister, who in his early years was a full-time official of the National Union of Seamen.

The main inscription on the memorial reads

   1914 - 1918                              1939 - 1945
                                AND ALL

        THIS MEMORIAL DEDICATED TO
     THE MERCHANT NAVY WAS DONATED
    TO THE PEOPLE OF LIVERPOOL BY THE
LIVERPOOL RETIRED MERCHANT SEAFARERS
       AND HANDED TO THE CITY BY THE
       RT. HONOURABLE JOHN PRESCOTT
             DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
               30TH OCTOBER 1998

The other side of the memorial has the following inscription

DEDICATED TO THE MEN AND
WOMEN WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES
WILLINGLY FOR THE FREEDOM
OF OTHERS AND HAVE NO
&NBSP&NBSPGRAVE BUT THE SEA.

THEY SHALL NOT GROWN OLD,
AS WE THAT ARE LEFT GROW OLD.
AGE SHALL NOT WEARY THEM,
NOR THE YEARS CONDEMN.
GRAVE BUT THE SEA
AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN
AND IN THE MORNING
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

There are a number of small maritime memorials very close to this spot, including to seafarers of other countries who were also involved in the wars.

In addition there is a large memorial to Merchant Seamen who served specifically on Royal Navy ships (http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMCWK5_Memorial_to_the_Missing_of_the_Naval_Auxiliary_Personnel_of_the_Second_World_War_Liverpool_UK), whereas this memorial is in memory of all merchant navy personnel.

Relevent website: [Web Link] List if there are any visiting hours: This is on a public promenade and can be accessed at any time. Entrance fees (if any): None Date dedicated: 10/30/1998 Sponsor(s): Liverpool Retired Merchant Seafarers Parking coordinates: Not Listed

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Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   09/07/2019 Ky Devas visited it 10/10/2018 Poole/Freeman visited it 06/07/2016 dreeder75 visited it 01/16/2016 Rikitan visited it 01/03/2014 Littleowl1 visited it 09/15/2013 Yeti' visited it 09/04/2013 Superted visited it 06/17/2012 Dragontree visited it

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