#battleoftheatlantic – Sea Cadets from across Northern Ireland have been playing a role in the commemorations to mark the 70th anniversary of the Battle of The Atlantic
The Cadets were on duty at the formal unveiling recently at Ebrington Square in Londonderry of a replica of the famous Mariner sculpture statue in Halifax, Nova Scotia in Canada of a sailor carrying his hammock on his right shoulder and kit bag in his left hand. There is no naval insignia, as the statue is intended to reflect the contribution of the seamen from the many Allied nations which protected the shipping convoys during the war. Originally created by the distinguished Canadian sculptor, Peter Bustin, the replica statue was cast at the Tanat Foundry, Oswestry. The inlaid inscription on the granite base of the statue reads, 'In memory of those from all nations who lost their lives in The Battle of Atlantic. And, in lasting tribute to the part played by the citizens of this city in the longest battle of the second World War 1939 – 1944.'
At the height of the raging sea conflict, Londonderry was host to up to 20,000 Royal Navy personnel, 10,000 Canadian and Newfoundlanders, more than 6,000 US personnel as well as many from the German occupied nations.
