Volunteers Pay Respects Afloat

An appreciative crowd of shoppers at the famous Newcastle Quayside stopped to pay their respects on Remembrance Sunday with members of the Northumbria Unit of the Maritime Volunteer Service (MVS) .

The MVS unit brought their team to the busy Quayside in their 21ft long rigid inflatable boat and stopped in the middle of the Tyne between the iconic Millennium and Tyne Bridges to take part in the two minute silence before placing a special wreath into the river. 

Also present were Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service’s vessel, which also honoured the two minutes silence.

Jean Mackintosh Fraser said:

“Thank you for your innovative response to remembrance on the Tyne.”

“As some one whose grandfather was killed whilst on a vessel in the Tyne, during the raids in 1941, but who has no known grave. With male family members  who have served, or serving, in the Merchant Navy, I do really appreciate the gesture.”
 

MVS Volunteer Officer Keith Newman said;

“This was a special moment for the unit and a great opportunity to show the community that we serve what we do. We were humbled when the crowd on the quayside applauded after the silence and the laying of the wreath. It shows how much Remembrance Sunday means to the people of the North East.”

Photo shows (L to R) Maritime Volunteer’s Mark Tiffin, Angela Carrington and Keith Newman