Aberdeenshire Council raises the Red Ensign at Saltoun Square, Fraserburgh

The brave men and women who kept our island nation afloat during both World Wars have been remembered with the raising of the Red Ensign in Fraserburgh.

Aberdeenshire Council was honoured to raise the Red Ensign at Fraserburgh’s Saltoun Square earlier today (Fri, Sept 2).

Attending the poignant event were Fraserburgh and District councillors together with representatives from Fraserburgh’s Lifeboat, Mission, Sea Cadets, Harbour Commissioners and The Salvation Army who played The Last Post.

Councillor Doreen Mair, chair of the Banff and Buchan Area Committee, addressed those present before Councillor Ann Bell and Harbourmaster Tom Boyle raised the flag.

Councillor Mair said: “Each year we proudly fly the Red Ensign to remember the sacrifices of the often forgotten and invisible Merchant Navy community.  We must never forget that both World Wars tragically claimed the lives of so many of those brave crews and by flying the Red Ensign we, in particular, remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”

She once again took the opportunity to recognise the outstanding commitment and determination of many local men and women both in Fraserburgh and across Aberdeenshire who serve in the Coastguard, the Royal National Lifeboat Institute and those who are called to the sea every day of their working lives.

Merchant Navy Day is celebrated in September and also provides an opportunity to celebrate our dependence on modern day merchant seafarers who are responsible for 95% of the UK's imports, including half the food we eat, plenty of the fuel we burn and virtually all the products and goods we take for granted.

Affectionately known as the ‘Red Duster’, the Ensign has been the recognised flag of the UK Merchant Navy since 1854 and is flown at civic buildings and landmark flagpoles across the UK.