On the 27th November 2003, the Daily Express revealed that Euro MP's had
been given the green light in the proposal to scrap the British Merchant
Navy Red Ensign which has been the official flag of our Merchant Fleet since
1864 and replace it with a European Union Flag. I am totally appalled that
such a gesture will go through without the intervention of our own
Government.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II holds the title of "Master of the Merchant
Navy & Fishing Fleet", which was passed down by King George VI and was the
title held by King George V who bestowed the title "Merchant Navy" on us
after WWI. In WWI 17,000 Merchant Seamen sailing under the Red Ensign were
killed with a further 32,000 in WWII, which happens to be a higher
percentage rate than any of the three armed services. Post WWII the Red
Ensign has been involved conflicts in Palestine 1945-1948, Korea 1950-1953,
Suez 1956, Cyprus, 1954-1959, Borneo, 1962-1966, Falklands 1982 & the Gulf
1991 & 2003, with medals issued to it's serving members in all areas of
operations.

In 2000 the British Government introduced the official "Merchant Navy Day"
in recognition of the important role the Merchant Navy plays in supplying
this Island nation in war as well as peace. 3rd September every year since,
the Red Ensign is flown from public buildings the length & breadth of this
country. Please don't let others take the last vestige of our service. This
is not sentimentalist talk; it is our Maritime Heritage that is under
threat.