Veteran's call to "remember those lost at sea"
28/08/2009
World War II veteran Alfred Tubb is urging fellow veterans of conflict, as well as the general public, to remember those who fell during the World Wars and those who still make sacrifices today, on Merchant Navy Day, 6 September 2009.
Mr Tubb from Swansea is supporting the Sailors’ Society’s Sea of Remembrance campaign, which sees supporters send in special Red Ensign flags bearing their own messages and memories of loved ones. The flags are then planted by volunteers at Trinity Gardens, London, following the Merchant Navy Day Memorial Service.
The 86-year-old veteran recently unveiled a headstone in memory of his former friend and shipmate Reginald Earnshaw, thought to be one of the youngest merchant navy seafarers to give their life in the Second World War at just 14 years old. They both served on SS North Devon when it was bombed by German aircraft in the North Sea in July 1941. Tragically, Reginald and several other seafarers were killed when the bomb caused steam pipes in the engine room to rupture.
Mr Tubb explained: “It’s thought that Reggie may have lied about his age to serve his country. I was only 18 at the time and it still upsets me to think of a young lad trapped inside that engine room and I couldn’t save him.”
The veteran has never forgotten his friend and has spent the last four years trying to find his final resting place. Eventually he found his friend buried at Comely Bank Cemetery in Edinburgh. The grave was recorded but there was nothing to mark it, until earlier this year when a special ceremony took place which saw Alfred Tubb unveil a headstone and say a fond farewell to Reggie.
He added: “The last I saw of Reggie was the ARP carrying his body ashore in tarpaulin. I left the ship in Immingham on ‘survivor’s leave’ but never forgot that terrible incident. Over the years I wondered what had happened and Reggie was very much on my mind. It’s wonderful to think that at long last Reggie has a head stone and has had his passing commemorated.”
Sailors’ Society launches its Sea of Remembrance campaign annually and regularly receive up to 1000 Red Ensigns which are planted together to create the Sea of Remembrance.
Events Fundraiser for Sailors’ Society Vicky Macleod explained: “Throughout the years we have received some really poignant and moving tributes. Alfred Tubb’s story is not uncommon for World War veterans and we receive messages from loved ones and veterans of other conflicts such as the Falklands. We also seek to remember current seafarers who face different dangers nowadays such as piracy.”
To request a special Red Ensign flag from the Sailors’ Society please call 023 8051 5950 or visit the website linked below. All flags must be returned before Merchant Navy Day on 6 September.