The Merchant Navy comprises the men and women who go to sea in commercial ships such as ocean liners, cargo ships, ferries and tugs. In the past, these ships were owned by thousands of separate companies or ‘shipping lines’, so your ancestor may have worked for many different employers during their career. Apart from seamen and officers the Merchant Navy has employed other personnel including stewards and stewardesses, catering and restaurant staff, nurses, engineers, carpenters, and firemen (‘stokers’) who fed coal into the ship’s furnace.
In the 20th century, the Merchant Navy saw increasing diversification of roles and a progressively greater proportion of women on board ships. The century also witnessed these civilian personnel acting within the theatre of two world wars. Without their bravery in transporting essential cargo and troops, Britain would have lost both conflicts.
