Merchant Navy remembered across the county
FLAGS are currently raised across Caithness in memory of the brave seamen of the Merchant Navy who kept Britain afloat during two world wars.
The sinking of the Athenia by a Nazi U-boat on the first day of World War Two – September 3, 1939 – led to an annual commemoration being set up 20 years ago known as Merchant Navy Day.
The Red Ensign – the UK Merchant Navy's official flag – is flying proudly in towns and villages across the county in memory of the brave men and women "who kept our island nation afloat" during both world wars.
Former tanker captain William Munro who runs Caithness Seacoast Ltd in Wick said: "Normally we'd have a service in St Fergus Church in Wick on the Sunday with the Sea Cadets and members of the armed forces attending but because of social distancing we can't do that.
"The Merchant Navy Association is going to allow a delegation of around half-a-dozen of us to attend at the memorial garden opposite the church at noon [on Sunday] for a minute's silence. There will be a bagpipe player there as well and that's it."
Mr Munro said that the importance of merchant seamen cannot be stressed enough. "We remember those who served in two world wars and the modern day seafarers who keep us fed and supplied."
Memorial service in Wick for merchant seamen