WORLD WAR 2 IN REVIEW

Allied convoy crossing the North Atlantic in 1942.

With Britain in the 1930s heavily reliant on food imports, the Merchant Navy formed a vital lifeline, keeping the country running

After the First World War King George V, in recognition of the contribution made to the British war effort by merchant ships, granted the title of ‘Merchant Navy’ to non-military sailors. As the outbreak of World War II edged closer in 1939, the British merchant fleet remained the largest in the world, employing some 200,000 men and women. This number made up around one third of the entire global merchant fleet at the time, with many of the seamen coming from all over the Empire, including India, Hong Kong and West Africa.

As the outbreak of World War II edged closer in 1939, the British merchant fleet remained the largest in the world, employing some 200,000 men and women.

After the declaration of war in September 1939, the Ministry of Shipping – then under the control of Lieutenant-Colonel Sir John Gilmour – took control of the merchant fleet. It was the job of the Ministry to decide what cargo the ships would carry and the function they would fulfill in order to best support the war effort, while crewing and provisioning remained under the jurisdiction of the shipping industry.

Particular emphasis was put on implementing the convoy system, by which warships would customarily escort groups of merchant ships to deter attacks from German U-boats. With all of Britain’s oil arriving by sea, half of her food, and most of her raw materials – more than a million tonnes per week, in total – the smooth functioning of the merchant fleet was integral to the nation’s survival.

The struggle for control over the Atlantic shipping routes, which would eventually become known as the ‘Battle of the Atlantic,’ was one of the longest campaigns of WWII. Germany turned submarines, battleships, aircraft and mines on Britain’s supply lines, while British and American shipyards worked tirelessly to replace those ships that were sunk.

Despite sharing the word ‘Navy’ in their titles, the difference between the Royal and Merchant Navies was that sailors in the latter were classed as civilians. After the outbreak of war, Germany declared that every vessel of the British mercantile marine was to be regarded as a warship, meaning that the sailors of the Merchant Navy faced tremendous risks. Tragically, 30,248 merchant seamen lost their lives during World War II, a death rate proportionally higher than in any of the armed forces.

THESE MEN WENT THROUGH HELL for YOU FOR 23 DAYS THESE MEN WERE ADRIFT IN AN OPEN BOAT . . . THEIR SHIP HAD BEEN SUNK BY A GERMAN RAIDER IN THE ATLANTIC . . . THERE WERE 82 MEN CROWDED INTO A BOAT BUILT TO HOLD 50 . . . ONE OF THE BOATS FINALLY REACHED SÃO LUIZ, BRAZIL, WHERE THE MEN FELL EXHAUSTED ON THE BEACH . . . . . GIVE US THE SHIPS WE'LL DELIVER THE GOODS! BUILDING SHIPS LIKE THIS WILL MAKE YOU AND THE NAVY AN UNBEATABLE TEAM The men of the Royal Navy and Merchant Navy ask you to give every ounce of effort to speed up production. Give them the weapons to fight back at the Germans and protect the women and children of Britain from what has happened in the countries now occupied by the enemy. From America and our Dominions we are obtaining planes, war materials and vital foods. The Merchant Navy, convoyed by the Royal Navy, are maintaining our life line and with your help they will continue to keep this country supplied with the necessities of life and the weapons to beat Hitler and his gang. Every worker engaged on producing even the smallest nut or bolt needed to complete a ship is doing his bit to win this war. The navy is depending on you to replace the ships which are being lost. Production must be increased. There is no time to be lost. Every hour wasted is an hour gained by the Germans in their attempt to sweep us off the high seas and thus pave the way for an invasion of this island. No. 8 Warwork News 1941 ISSUED BY THE ADMIRALTY PRINTED FOR H.M. STATIONERY OFFICE BY FOSH AND CROSS LTD., LONDON.

Allied convoy.

A sailor at the wheel of one of the merchant ships during an enemy attack on a Malta bound convoy that got through.

20mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft gunners on board a merchant ship between a lull in enemy attacks on a Malta bound convoy that got through. Other ships can be seen in the distance. Imperial War Museum A 11269.

The mate of the tanker MV Empire Unity John Waters, who is responsible to the captain for the working of the ship, taking a compass reading whilst the ship was in convoy.

The boatswain and his mate splicing ropes on board the merchantman MV Empire Unity whilst she was in convoy. Imperial War Museum A 11804.

The second officer of MV Empire Unity "shooting the sun" or taking a sun sight with the sextant whilst she was in convoy.

Men sponging out the gun after firing on the merchant ship MV Empire Unity whilst she was in convoy. Imperial War Museum A 11820.

On board the merchant ship Cape Hawke her skipper Captain D N Taylor checks the course and speed with the man at the wheel.

An impromptu sing song in the dog watches on board the merchant ship MV Empire Unity. One man is playing an accordion whilst another plays what appears to be a mandolin.

Group photo, officers of SS City of Manila, a cargo steamer of the Ellerman City Line, sunk in the Atlantic by a German torpedo in 1942, with just one crew member lost.

British Merchant Navy blazer badge.

British Merchant Navy On War Service silver lapel badge.

British Merchant Navy lapel pin badge.

British Merchant Navy badge.

Badge of the British Merchant Navy as inscribed on the grave of late A.V. Frain of SS St. Vincent de Paul, at Stanley Military Cemetery, Hong Kong.