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Merchant NavyPrint Page Print this page

Photographs supplied by John Huth

The plaque commemorates those who served in Australian and International merchant navies during World War Two.

The term Merchant Navy refers to a nation’s commercial shipping and crews. During World War Two Merchant Navy ships carrying valuable cargoes were at just as much risk as Royal Australian Navy (RAN) warships. Merchant ships were attacked not only in distant waters but also within sight of the Australian coastline while traversing much frequented trade routes.

Location

Address:Esplanade, Cairns, 4870
State:QLD
Area:AUS
GPS Coordinates:Lat: -16.917871
Long: 145.775559
Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.
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Details

Monument Type:Plaque
Monument Theme:Conflict
Sub-Theme:WW2
Actual Event Start Date:03-September-1939
Approx. Event Start Date:
Actual Event End Date:15-August-1945
Approx. Event End Date:
Designer:
Artist:
Monument Manufacturer:
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Dedication

Approx. Monument Dedication Date:
Front Inscription

Dedicated to the memory of the sacrifices made by Australian and International Merchant Seafarers in contributing to Australia's prosperity and peace.

"The Merchant Navy, 1939 - 1945"

"No cross marks the graves where now we lie
What happened is known but to us
You asked and we gave our lives to defend our land from the enemy curse
No Flanders Field where poppies blow
No gleaming crosses row on row,
No silent tomb for all to see
And pause, and wonder who we might be
The sailors` Valhalla is where we lie
On the ocean bed, watching ships pass by, sailing, in safety now.
Thru the waves, sometimes right over our sea-locked graves."

"We ask you just to remember us"

Captain Peter A. K. Boswell M.C.

Left Side Inscription
Back Inscription
Right Side Inscription
Inscription in Proximity
Source: MA,SKP
Monument details supplied by Monument Australia - www.monumentaustralia.org.au