We commemorate Merchant Navy Day each year on 3 September. This is the anniversary of the first attack on an Allied merchant ship in World War II, only hours after Britain declared war on Germany in 1939.

Merchant Navy Day is observed every 3rd of September, marking the first attack on an Allied merchant ship in World War II, shortly after Britain declared war on Germany in 1939. The tragic event involved the German submarine U-30 torpedoing the British liner SS Athenia, resulting in the loss of over 110 crew and passengers out of the 1400 individuals onboard.

The day serves as a tribute to the significant contributions and sacrifices made by merchant mariners during wartime. These brave individuals carried out their duties under perilous conditions, transporting service personnel, supplies, and equipment through dangerous waters. Some merchant ships were even converted into hospital ships to provide critical medical assistance during wartime.

Merchant mariners faced constant threats of attacks from enemy submarines, surface raiders, aircraft, and sea mines, especially when travelling unprotected in foreign waters or as part of slow convoys. The Battle of the Atlantic stands out as a crucial naval conflict where thousands of Allied merchant ships and naval vessels were sunk, resulting in substantial losses of maritime personnel.

Although the exact number of Australian merchant mariners who served or perished during wartime remains uncertain, around 1,000 individuals are known to have lost their lives in support of the Allied cause during the World Wars. Their bravery and commitment in the face of danger continue to be honored and remembered on Merchant Navy Day, paying tribute to their unwavering dedication and sacrifice for the greater good.