Restoration of Black Merchant Seamen War Memorial in Liverpool

Circular No: NP/207/21

TO ALL SHIPPING BRANCHES AND REGIONAL COUNCILS.

Our ref: S16/22

11th June 2021

Dear Colleague

RESTORATION OF THE BLACK MERCHANT SEAMEN WAR MEMORIAL IN LIVERPOOL

I am writing to advise you that the National Executive Committee have agreed to donate the sum of £1,000.00 to support the restoration of a memorial in Liverpool to black merchant seamen, who helped keep the country supplied, some giving their lives, throughout the 1939-45 World War.

The Black Merchant Seamen War Memorial in Falkner Square is made of sandstone recovered from the Liverpool Seamen's Hostel which was demolished in the mid-1970s. The memorial and its bronze plaque were unveiled in 1993 as part of events held on the 50th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic. Official signposts were erected in 2019 but the site has become overgrown and the condition of the memorial has deteriorated.

Brother Darren Procter, RMT National Secretary, has decided to organize a fundraising walk for this memorial to raise both funds and awareness of this memorial as part of this year’s Day of the Seafarer, on 25th June.

Donations can be made using the following link: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/blackmerchantseamenliverpool?utm_term=A6JJ8wEZ7

Please note that this is considered as authorised expenditure of your Branch and Regional Council Management Funds.

I would be grateful if you could bring the contents of this circular to the attention of members in your branch and you will be kept updated with all further developments.

Yours sincerely

Michael Lynch
General Secretary