Campaign Honours Lives Lost at Sea

Words by John Donnelly Photos by Mitchell Lindsay

On an unusually sunny and warm Saturday in early May, I went along to the unveiling of a new memorial plaque at the Govan/Partick Bridge on the banks of the Clyde in Glasgow.

The plaque is to commemorate the approximate 60,000 merchant seamen whose lives were lost in both World Wars and other sad incidents.
Former merchant seaman Iain Lindsay who lives in West Dunbartonshire, led the campaign to commemorate the lives lost at sea.

He explained how it all began: “At a Merchant Navy Association meeting in Glasgow about maybe nine, 10 months ago I was approached to see if I could help with an idea. We sat down, had a wee chat and decided we could make that idea a memorial.”

Iain is now the Welfare Officer for Nautilus, a worldwide maritime union. He spends his days supporting maritime workers and their families and is passionate about honouring their work.

“The minute they brought it to me, I did what I always do and said let’s get this done,” laughed Iain.

Through many requests of where the plaque could be placed and after hearing a few “no’s,” Iain became more determined this was going to happen, as he felt they were not initially understanding the significance of this plaque.

“This is to celebrate 60,000 lives lost. It’s not for my granny who used to sit here in the summer.

“You know, it was as if they were kind of treating us as if we just wanted to put this wee, you know, wee family thing up.”

Many meetings later with Glasgow City Council and various other parties, a wonderful spot was agreed upon on the Govan side of the Clyde.

Which Iain felt was appropriate due to Govan’s history with shipbuilding and as most of the ships and the seamen embarked on their final voyage from the city.

The memorial service and plaque reveal took place on Saturday May 10 at the Govan - Partick Bridge to encompass the VE Day 80th celebrations.

The memorial plaque is displayed as a reminder of the debt we owe to all Merchant Navy casualties who have no grave, nowhere for families and relatives to grieve.

Inscribed on the plaque is an excerpt from Eileen Mahoney's moving prayer 'In Waters Deep'... "In ocean waters no poppies blow no crosses stand in ordered rows"

The event was well attended by merchant navy personnel with representatives from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), Marine Coastguard, and CalMac to name a few.

Also in the audience were many relatives and people with a connection to the Merchant Navy.

Many ships built in Clydebank were sunk in WWI and WWII: the RMS Lusitania, HMS Hood, HMS Barham, SS Avila Star, there was also remembrance for the Flying Phantom tug which went down at Clydebank College on the River Clyde several years ago, to name but a few.

RFA Captain John Hood gave a poignant speech on the loss of life at sea and the bravery of merchant seamen and Rev Joseph O'Donnell gave the blessing.

The Merchant Navy association marched up to the bridge as part of the ceremony behind a party of pipers.

“We tried to get a piper for the day, so we put an appeal out through Sunny G radio and we ended up with eight! The people of the west of Scotland are great, they will rush out to help you,” Iain laughed.

The ceremony was a great and enjoyable experience, and the plaque is a lasting tribute for all to see.

Iain’s dedication to the cause was celebrated with the presentation of a certificate of appreciation and medal by Jalal Shaheen, chairman of El-Wafa International.

He also received a quaich as a gift of thanks from the ladies at the Scottish Nautical Welfare Society.

Christine Hollywood explained: “Iain has done amazing work helping seafarers and their families receive housing and benefits – as a widow of an M.N engineer I am one such person.

“The help he gives changes lives, and this is why it is good that he is recognised for the work, especially being a local man in this community.”

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