Representatives from the Navy and local Army Cadets were joined by residents and staff from West Lindsey District Council and Gainsborough Town Council on Friday for a flag raising ceremony to mark Merchant Navy Day.
The day is marked annually and gives people the opportunity to honour the brave men and women of the Merchant Navy, including those who lost their lives at times of war.
West Lindsey District Council Chairman, Cllr Stephen Bunney, was among those to speak at the ceremony held outside the Guildhall, Marshall’s Yard, Gainsborough.
During his welcome speech Cllr Bunney said: “In 1928, King George V acknowledged and honoured the contribution made by the Merchant Navy both in peacetime, and in war, by appointing a member of the Royal Family as its Head, thus treating the merchant service with as much respect as the armed forces and bestowing the title of “Merchant Navy” on British merchant seafarers.
“Today, there are approximately 80,000 men and women working at sea. They continue to bring in over 90% of our imports. Without them, we would be facing empty shelves in our high street shops, chemists and supermarkets."
Following Cllr Bunney, Ady Selby, Director Operational and Commercial Services, read out a poem to those gathered and Cllr Bunney then carried out the official raising of the Red Ensign Flag.