Merchant Navy veterans and their families at Nautilus Mariners' Park attended commemorations marking the 72nd anniversary of VJ Day on Tuesday 15 August 2017.
The Union's Merseyside welfare centre held an annual service to pay tribute to the merchant seafarers who were involved in the British and Commonwealth campaign in the Far East – which continued for three months after the Second World War came to an end in Europe.
Tributes were also paid to former Mariners' Park resident Captain Ronald Pengelly – who was awarded both the Burma and Pacific Stars and who persuaded the Nautilus Welfare Fund to launch the annual service four years ago. Capt Pengelly died in 2016 but was remembered during the service led by Dave Robertson – a chaplain from Maritime Ministries which operates in the Port of Liverpool.
Two long-term Mariners' Park residents also played their part in the ceremony, including the wreath-maker Bob Owens, who recently moved into the park's newest residential facility – the Seafarers UK Centenary Wing – and Bob Lockwood, who continued his tradition of raising the Red Ensign.
Welfare services manager Mick Howarth said Capt Pengelly was 'very much the moving spirit' for the service which would continue to be a permanent fixture in the Mariners' Park diary.
The Union's Merseyside welfare centre held an annual service to pay tribute to the merchant seafarers who were involved in the British and Commonwealth campaign in the Far East
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