The contribution of Australia's merchant mariners during the two world wars was honoured today, the 68th anniversary of the commencement of World War II, as the nation commemorated Merchant Navy Day. The Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Bruce Billson, said the Merchant Navy's contribution to Allied victories in both world wars was significant.

"Merchant mariners were in frequent danger from submarines, commerce raiders, hostile aircraft, mines and appalling weather conditions. Their ships, heavily laden with troops and cargo, were slower and less
manoeuvrable than their naval counterparts, and as a result were often easy targets," Mr Billson said.

"The Merchant Navy provided vital support during the darkest days of World War II, as Australia's coastline came under threat. "On 19 February 1942, Australia lost 42 merchant mariners during the first air raid on Darwin, including seven from the hospital ship Manunda. Others lost their lives in the following days from their
wounds." More than half of Australia's merchant mariners killed in World War II were lost on just seven ships. Five of these were attacked on Australia's eastern coastline. The official loss of life of Australian merchant mariners was 430 during World War II, and five during World War I.

Australia's merchant mariners are honoured at official war graves across the world. Those with no known grave are honoured at memorials in Sydney, and the Northern Territory, and overseas in London, Port Moresby
and Hong Kong. There is also a memorial to merchant mariners at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

"Today we pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of Australia's merchant mariners, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Our nation is indebted to their courage, and we must continue to
remember them and their place in history," Mr Billson said.