Merchant Navy veterans honoured at Rye ceremony

Three badges were presented by Rye Mayor Sam Souster.

It was a special occasion for the Mayor too as he accepted a medal for his service as an engineer in the Merchant Navy.

Sam served on ships for many years and even recalls sailing past Rye completely unaware that he would one day become the town's Mayor.

He received his medal from Sir Robert Crawford, Vice President of the Federation of Merchant Mariners.

Also receiving medals were Dunkirk evacuation veteran Fred Ferryman, from Icklesham, Frank Burgess, from St Leonards, who served on tanker in the Atlantic during World War 2, and Dr Kenneth Chapman, from East Hoathley, who served as a cadet.

The awards came about after the Government decided, last year, to officially recognise the service of merchant seafarers during times when the country has been at war.

The badge is available to all Merchant Navy seafarers and fishermen who served in a vessel at a time when it was operated to facilitate military operations by UK armed forces at any time.

Attending last week's ceremony will be Rye MP Michael Foster and the Mayors of Hastings and Bexhill.

Derek Bristow, chief executive of the Merchant Mariners Federation, said: "We have had a few of these presentations but Rye was the best by far.

"The Town Hall was a perfect setting and we were made to feel really welcome by the Mayor and people of Rye. We would like to thank them."