THE Merchant Navy Association of Harwich has thanked people who donated money and attended the unveiling of a special memorial this month. More than 1,000 people turned out in the coastal town to see the British Merchant Seafarers Memorial.

THE Merchant Navy Association of Harwich has thanked people who donated money and attended the unveiling of a special memorial this month.

More than 1,000 people turned out in the coastal town to see the British Merchant Seafarers Memorial.

The event was held on Merchant Navy Day with a march through the town before the unveiling ceremony.

Generous East Anglian Daily Times readers contributed more than £5,000 towards the memorial through our Forgotten Heroes campaign.

The 12ft obelisk honours the thousands of merchant seaman who lost their lives fighting for the country and was unveiled by Lord Petre, the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, on September 3.

A special DVD of the ceremony has been made and is available from the association.

Kate Wilson, honorary secretary of the Merchant Navy Association Harwich & District branch, said everyone was very grateful for the support.

She said: “On behalf of all the members of the Merchant Navy Association Harwich & District branch, may I say a big thank you to all the people who attended the unveiling and dedication service for our new British Merchant Seafarers Memorial and made it such a very memorable and happy occasion.

“It made all the hard work over the last five years worthwhile. We would also like to say thanks to all those people who gave us such generous help and financial support which enabled the memorial to be constructed - the donations from so many people and organisations were the lifeblood of the project.

“The branch hopes that the memorial is a fitting tribute to the history of the ancient port of Harwich and the British Merchant Navy Seafarers who served the British nation over the centuries in times of conflict and peace.”

n A professional DVD and video of the unveiling and dedication service have been made and include a short history of the Harwich & District Merchant Navy branch and how the memorial came to be built.

Both the DVD and video are £10, plus £1.50 postage and anyone wishing to obtain a copy should contact Mrs Wilson on 01255 506373 or by writing at 29 The Drive, Dovercourt, Essex CO12 3SU, including a stamped address envelope.

james.hore@eadt.co.uk