Epilogue to memorial

Ian Malcolm of St Andrews writes: “Regarding the item about the Scottish War Memorial, here is the epilogue in my book, Life Aboard a Wartime Liberty Ship, published by Amberley in 2010. Admission to the memorial is free, a fact which is not generally known.

“Epilogue – Although the civilian Merchant Navy suffered a higher percentage loss than any of the armed services in the Second World War, there is no memorial to it within the Scottish War Memorial in Edinburgh Castle as that which is deemed to represent it bears the incorrect title ‘The Mercantile Marine’.

“Due to the good service given by the Mercantile Marine in the First World War, George V conferred the title Master of the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleet on the Prince of Wales in 1928.

“From that date, therefore, the correct title has been HM Merchant Navy and the silver lapel badge given to all of us, and which we proudly wore, bore the letters MN.

“In case this should be regarded as pedantry, I would point out that the name change of our military air service was recognized as there is a memorial to ‘The Royal Air Force’ under that of ‘The Royal Flying Corps’.

“When, in 2000, I requested the trustees of the memorial to rectify the omission, they declined to do so on the grounds that their predecessors of 1945 had taken the decision not to make any changes.

“They did, however, agree to add a red ensign to the colours. While pleased about this, it does not make up for the lack of a memorial to the Merchant Navy.”

A view of Aberdour High Street in the early 1900s. There are so many people in the picture they may have sailed over from Portobello as this was a popular destination for Edinburgh residents.If you have a story for Craigie email: craigie@ thecourier.co.uk