The Forgotten NavyThe Forgotten Navy

Unofficially known as the “Fourth Arm of the Services,” the Merchant Navy endured serious threats from mines, aircraft, surface raiders, and a particularly vicious German U-boat blockade, all while having a limited means of self-defense. In this new Memory Project video, two Merchant Navy veterans share their stories of crossing the Atlantic to deliver vital goods to the war effort and the long fight to get their proper recognition. During the Second World War, Canadian merchant vessels made 25,343 voyages from North America to Britain, carrying nearly 165 million tons of military and civilian supplies. Canadian Rear Admiral Leonard Murray, who commanded the Canadian Northwest Atlantic theatre during the war, said “the Battle of the Atlantic was not won by any navy or air force, it was won by the courage, fortitude and determination of the British and Allied Merchant Navy.” Since 2003, September 3 has been recognized as Merchant Navy Veterans Day by the federal government. This video provides educators an opportunity to present oral history as a valuable source and incorporate firsthand accounts into classroom activities and discussions. This video is produced by The Memory Project, a program of Historica Canada.