World War II

pictures of the different roles undertaken by women in the war

AS PART OF their contribution to the war effort, Barbara and the girls organised bazaars to help raise money. They also adopted two merchant ships—the Ocean Courier and the Trevilley. They knitted scarves for the sailors and wrote regularly to the men on board.

Barbara told her mother how she had just finished a four page letter to 'her man', noting that he was a 4th engineer, who she hoped would not be too old!

Sadly the Trevilley was lost as a result of enemy action. The plaque on the left shows the name of the ship at the Tower Hill Memorial on the south side of Trinity Square, London.

The memorial commemorates the men of the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets who gave their own lives to preserve the life of the nation, in both the First and Second World Wars. The names of the dead are arranged alphabetically under their ships, with the name of the Master or Skipper (where it appears) first in each case.

Every November, on Remembrance Sunday, men and women of today's naval services lay wreaths in recognition of the immense sacrifices made by fellow seafarers.

The Atlantic quickly became the main battleground of the war at sea. In 1942, eighty percent of total merchant ships were sunk in the North and South Atlantic. Later as technology for detecting German U-Boats improved, losses started to decline from September 1943.

A total of 4,786 merchant ships were lost during the Second World War and nearly 32,000 merchant seamen gave their lives in the service of this country.

The Second World War Memorial was unveiled by the Queen on 5 November 1955. The following navies are represented: United Kingdom Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets, United Kingdom Merchant Navy of Australia, United Kingdom Merchant Navy of New Zealand, United Kingdom Merchant Navy of South Africa, Australian Merchant Navy, United Kingdom Lighthouse and Pilotage Services.

The Tower Hill Memorial is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and is well worth a visit. The Commission's website address is www.cwgc.org.