A CELEBRATION of Merchant Navy sailors who have dedicated their lives to serve the nation is being held in Maldon.

The Merchant Navy Day ceremony will begin with a procession of local dignitaries joined by Maldon Sea Cadets.

Shanty Singers will sing one of their own compositions ‘The Red Duster Flag’ during the procession, and the Sailor’s Farewell, whilst the mayor lays a Merchant Navy wreath on behalf of the town.

Merchant Navy veteran Eric Dyer will read the Kohima Epitaph, and the Red Ensign flag will be raised.

A brass quintet, Piper Jo and St Mary’s Church Choir will be performing on the day.

In the event of bad weather, the ceremony will move to take place in St Mary’s Church on nearby Church Street.

A spokesman for Maldon Town Council said: “Each year, local residents gather to remember the brave men and women who kept our ‘island nation’ afloat during both World Wars in a special service of commemoration on the Quay.

“Maldon Town Council invites you to join this special service, run in partnership with St Mary’s Church.

“Maldon is an appropriate place to mark this important date, as it is a maritime town, and its gateway to the sea, the River Blackwater, is a major feature of its history.

“From Roman galleys to Thames sailing barges, generations of sailors have relied on the river for their livelihood, and in wartime we depended on civilian cargo ships to import our food and raw materials, as well as to transport local men in the armed forces overseas.

“One of Maldon’s most famous residents, Dr Thomas Plume took a keen interest in maritime matters.

“Within his extensive library are copies of a book by Sir Francis Drake, called The World Encompassed and John Davis’s The Seaman’s Secrets.”

The Merchant Navy Day celebrations will be held on Sunday, September 3, at 2pm at the Hythe Quay in Maldon.