A former Darlington sea cadet who lost former colleagues in the Falklands War has honoured them during a ceremony for Merchant Navy Day in the town.
On Wednesday (August 30) morning, former members of the Merchant Navy gathered outside Darlington Town Hall to honour colleagues who are no longer with us and commend the role of the group in World War I, World War II and more recent conflicts.
During the short ceremony, a Red Ensign flag, which originated as a British naval ensign flown by the Royal Navy, was raised outside the Darlington Borough Council offices.
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The Mayor of Darlington Cllr Jan Cossins, was on hand to speak of the selfless acts that the merchant navy made in conflicts, which included looking after the the country's commercial shipping.
Merchant Navy Day falls on September 3 each year, but Darlington has chosen to raise their flag early and fly it beyond the milestone day.
Speaking after the ceremony, the Mayor of Darlington, Cllr Cossins said: "We want to remember the lives that were lost and the sacrifice that members of the merchant navy have made.
"We thank them for their service, and we are very proud of the role they have played, both the merchant navy members from the region and the wider UK.
"It's an honour to fly the Red Ensign in Darlington - it's very special to me that we honour them each and every year."
Among the people paying their respects on Wednesday was Russell Carnelley, who is the Mayor’s Support Officer, but was a member of the merchant navy "in a previous life".
At the age of 21, Mr Carnelley was an apprentice sea cadet for the Cunard Shipping Company - but was made redundant just before the Falklands War.
During the conflict, the ship he would have been on, the Atlantic Conveyor, came under attack and some of Mr Carnelley's former colleagues, and his captain, Captain North, died in the incident.
Each year, the former sea cadet now honours the lives of those who didn't make it home.
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Speaking to The Northern Echo, he said: "I was an apprentice, but no jobs were available at the time. I was willing to carry on as an apprentice but they didn't agree with me.
"Each year, I honour Captain North's name - he was a great leader and someone I learnt a lot from."
In the years that followed for Mr Carnelley, he pursued a career through the ranks - moving from third officer, second officer and chief officer, before making it to an Unlimited Pilot at the Port of Tyne, he did this for 16 years until December 2021.
Merchant Navy Day will be on September 3 - with the Red Ensign flying at Darlington Borough Council beyond that point.
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