Luke joined civic figures to welcome Princess Anne back to Plymouth to unveil the Merchant Navy Monument on Plymouth Hoe. After many years of fundraising the committee chaired by the Merchant Navy Association succeeded in raising the money needed to afford a new statue.

Luke said:

“The contribution of the Merchant Navy is often overlooked and neglected. Without the bravery and dedication of the Merchant Navy we would not have triumphed in either of the World Wars and we wouldn’t have the lifestyle we have today. Nearly everything we buy in shops or in our homes has been on a ship at sea. From the laptops, screens and phones to food, clothes and sofas the way we live depends on seafarers the world over. Their contribution is not always as widely understood as it should be. That’s why this monument is so long overdue.

 

“Plymouth has a proud seafaring heritage. Our University has trained generations of sailors and seafarers and the contributions of the Merchant Navy to our city’s development cannot be understated.

 

“The Merchant Navy Monument also recognises the contribution of the nation’s fishing fleets to our country. As Labour’s Shadow Fisheries Minister and as an MP for a constituency with over 1,000 jobs in fishing this matters and the recognition of the contribution of fishers to our nation is warmly welcome.”

Did you know there is already a memorial to the Merchant Navy in Plymouth?

There is already a memorial to the Merchant Navy in Plymouth, close to the Barbican. This memorial, though welcome and important, is hard to find and quite small. It is set into a wall across from the Mayflower Steps. The new monument on the Hoe is in a fitting location and is of a significant size that recognises the contribution of seafarers.

Find out more

You can find out more about the Merchant Navy Monument here. http://mnmonument.uk/