Merchant service

Catalogue Reference:(IWM) D5768

A merchant seaman standing by the sign for West Indies House, a sailors' hostel in Newcastle Upon Tyne during World War Two. The men who served on the merchant ships faced great hazards from German submarines in bringing much-needed supplies to Britain. Merchant ships travelled in large convoys so they could be protected by accompanying warships but nevertheless there were huge losses in shipping especially in the first half of the war.