Cadets accompany Lord Provost at Merchant Navy Memorial Day Service

Glasgow's Lord Provost was joined by more than 100 Merchant Navy cadets at a poignant ceremony in George Square to mark Merchant Navy Memorial Day today Friday 1 September.

The Red Ensign, the UK's Merchant Navy Flag, was flown from the City Chambers for the ceremony.

The official Merchant Navy Memorial Day falls on Sunday 3 September 2017 when the Red Ensign will be flown, once again, from the City Chambers. Today's advance event was held to allow the cadets to participate.

Cadet Jake Napoli and Cadet Finlay Clunas from the Faculty of Nautical Studies, City of Glasgow College, read names from the Merchant Navy Roll of Honour which documents the details of thousands of Glaswegians who lost their lives.

A two minute's silence followed during which the Merchant Navy standard was dipped in salute to lost seafarers.

Lord Provost Eva Bolander was among those who lay wreaths in memory of Merchant Navy crews and fishermen who lost their lives during the First and Second World Wars and other conflicts.

Former Councillor Nina Baker, who served in the Merchant Navy, read the poem 'In Waters Deep' by Eileen Mahone. The Depute Lord Provost Philip Braat read Binyon's lines.

The Lord Provost said: "We are gathered to pay our respects to the men and women of the UK's Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleet who lost their lives in wartime.

"Merchant Navy Memorial Day remembers those who served in the two World Wars and other conflicts. I'm delighted to be accompanied today by young men and women starting out on their Merchant Navy careers.

"It's with a great sense of pride, and shared sorrow, that we join with seafaring veterans and their families, to express our gratitude and the gratitude of the people of Glasgow, for those brave men and women, lost at sea defending our shores."