September 3 will be the tenth year that the national Merchant Navy Association has remembered those who served or lost lives in a variety of war-time duties, with the flying of the Red Ensign flag.
Mr Thompson, of Outwell Road, Emneth, told the Citizen: “I am waiting for the council to give the Merchant Navy heroes the recognition they deserve this time; sadly many of those heroes will have crossed the bar.
“But take heart you who served in the Merchant Navy – the nation does appreciate what you did in those terrible days of Atlantic, Arctic and Malta convoys.
“The people would have starved had your shipmates not made the ultimate sacrifice applaud you.
“The Armed Forces who you transported, fuelled and saved from the beaches. I applaud you.”
But Wisbech Town Council clerk Erbie Murat said it was a very awkward situation regarding the flying of flags on public buildings and the authority had adopted guidelines from the Department of Media and Culture.
The Union Flag is flown on key dates: The Queen’s birthday and official birthday, St George’s Day, the birthday of The Princess Royal, Remembrance Day, Armed Forces Day and the Rose Fair, while a special flag is also flown for Armed Forces Day.
A second flag pole meant that the English flag, the cross of St George, could also be flown.
But Mr Murat stressed: “We would never want anyone to think that the council does not honour and respect those who served or gave their lives in service of the nation.
“They made a significant contribution to our lives and to the lives of others in the future.”
He explained that if the council flew the flag to mark one organisation, then there would be many others seeking similar arrangements.
“There are a great many. There are at least a dozen in and around Wisbech,” said Mr Murat. “We recognise and value what they did, but we cannot fly all the flags.
