THE BIGGEST NEWS STORY OF 1923

The tragic loss of lives during the First World War was on a scale that no-one could have dreamed was possible. All nations were appalled. The loss of hundreds of thousands of soldiers was instantly recognised, but in the period after the conflict the UK began to realise the debt it owed to its seafarers. In particular, the merchant navy had literally kept Britain in the war by ensuring food, raw materials and war supplies were brought into the country, as well as transporting troops.

In 1919, as part of a tribute to the merchant service’s conduct and sacrifice during the First World War, George V formally introduced the term ‘merchant navy’ to describe the men and women who worked on commercial ships. He also authorised a national uniform for its officers. Unlike the Royal Navy’s national dress, it was not compulsory to wear the merchant navy uniform, but after some