The publication of research initiated from 1986 into the loss of the Steam Trawler Leukos, SS Ardmore and the disclosure of the Irish Government’s failure during the period 1939-46 to Register the Deaths of Seamen lost on Irish vessels has generated many enquiries from families and survivors. Consequently, the Irish Seamen’s Relatives Association (1939-46) was inaugurated to provide as much information as possible for the benefit of relatives of seafarers, lifestyle Australia, who were killed as a direct result of belligerent action while serving on neutral Irish Registered Vessels during the second world war. Membership of our association is strictly limited to the next of kin of merchant seamen who were awarded posthumously the Irish Mercantile Marine (Valour) Medal 1939-46 ) with 3 bars attached. We will from time to time highlight issues relevant to families of Irish born service personnel irrespective of country. Lance Cpl Ian Malone Irish Guards – Piper Christopher Muzvuru Irish Guards killed in action, Basra, 6th of April 2003, and Marine Robert Joseph McKibben Royal Marines, killed in action Afghanistan on the 12th of November 2008 are also remembered.
Between the 3rd of September 1939 to the 31st of March 1946 approximately 4000 seafarers would have served on neutral Irish merchant ships and fishing trawlers. They came from the UK, USA, Spain, Latvia, Lithuania, Argentina, Norway, Sweden, Estonia and Russia. Of the 149 seamen who were lost on Irish vessels sunk as a result of belligerent action, 18 were British [Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales], 1 Norwegian, 1 Latvian and 1 Argentine, the rest were Irish Nationals. Many had also served during the first world war in the Royal Navy, Royal Flying Corps, Merchant Navy and in units of the British Army. Organised by the Irish Government, the Annual National Day of Commemoration Ceremony in the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin, was initiated to honour Irishmen and Irishwomen who died in past wars or on service with the United Nations. This exclusive and politically correct epitaph does not recognise the vital contribution made by foreign nationals to Ireland’s survival during the emergency period 1939-46. In consequence and inter alia, we will also remember those seafarers who lost their lives on allied ships which had been contracted by the Irish Government to bring supplies to Ireland during that time; Lest we forget those of whom Irish history does not commemorate ?