09/03/2026
🇨🇦 DID YOU KNOW? September 3 is Merchant Navy Veterans Day
Each year on September 3, Canadians recognize Merchant Navy Veterans Day, honouring the courage, dedication and sacrifice of the men and women who served aboard Canada’s merchant ships during times of war.
During the Second World War, approximately 12,000 Canadians served in the Merchant Navy. These weren’t warships in the traditional sense…merchant vessels carried the food, fuel, ammunition, equipment, troops and other essential supplies that Britain and Allied forces desperately needed. Veterans Affairs Canada describes the Merchant Navy as a vital part of the Allied war effort and notes that the Allies could not have won the war without their contribution (Veterans Affairs Canada, 2026).
🌊 Why September 3?
The date has special historical significance. On September 3, 1939, Britain entered the Second World War and the Battle of the Atlantic began. It would continue until May 8, 1945, becoming the longest continuous campaign of the Second World War (Veterans Affairs Canada, 2026).
For those serving in the Merchant Navy, crossing the Atlantic was incredibly dangerous. Merchant ships were heavily loaded, relatively slow and prime targets for German U-boats. Sailors also faced freezing temperatures, violent North Atlantic storms, accidents and the constant possibility of enemy attack (Veterans Affairs Canada, 2026).
⚓ Their contribution was enormous.
More than 25,000 merchant ship voyages were made from North America to British ports under Canadian es**rt during the Battle of the Atlantic, delivering approximately 165 million tonnes of cargo needed to sustain Britain and ultimately help make the liberation of Europe possible (Veterans Affairs Canada, 2026). The cost was also devastating. The Merchant Navy Book of Remembrance contains the names of nearly 1,600 Canadians and Newfoundlanders, or individuals serving aboard Canadian- or Newfoundland-registered ships, who lost their lives. Veterans Affairs Canada notes that other Canadians were also lost while serving aboard Allied merchant vessels (Veterans Affairs Canada, 2026).
🌺 Why does this matter to the Legion?
One of the most important roles of a Legion branch is keeping the stories and sacrifices of Canada’s Veterans alive within our communities. Remembrance isn’t limited to November 11. Days such as Merchant Navy Veterans Day give us an opportunity to learn about groups whose service may be less familiar and ensure their contributions are not forgotten.
Here at Kinmount Legion Branch 441, we join Canadians across the country in remembering the men and women of Canada’s Merchant Navy…those who came home and those who didn’t.
Their ships carried the supplies that helped keep the Allied war effort moving.
Their service helped make victory possible.
🌺 We Will Remember Them.
Lest We Forget.
Sources:
Veterans Affairs Canada — Merchant Navy Veterans Day; The Merchant Navy; Battle of the Atlantic; Second World War.
