Merchant Navy and Seafarers Memorial Unveiled in Girvan

The 3rd of September 2023 marked Merchant Navy Day, a fitting date to unveil a new Merchant Navy and Seafarers Memorial in Girvan. The date also marked the 84th anniversary of the death of Merchant Seaman John McJarrow of Girvan. McJarrow dies of his wounds after his ship, the SS Athenia, was torpedoed just hours after war against Germany was declared.

Located on Fisherman’s Green, the unveiling service was attended by members of the public, dignitaries, Merchant Navy representatives, Girvan RNLI, HM Coastguard, Girvan and District Great War Project and other local groups.

The memorial is constructed from Ailsa Craig granite, a poignant link to Able Seaman Robert Greig Thomson who died aboard the SS Clearfield in 1916. Thomson was born on Ailsa Craig and was the son of lighthouse keeper Alexander Thomson.

In total Girvan and it’s surrounding villages lost 8 Mercantile Marines during both World Wars.

They were:-

Robert Greig Thomson 1916

John Dunn 1917

John Muir 1917

Robert Maxwell 1917

George Trengove 1917

Charles Maitland 1917

John McJarrow 1939

Thomas Miller 1946

Words from the poem ‘In Waters Deep’ by Eileen Mahoney are engraved on the memorial which is dedicated to the memory of seafarers who lost their lives while in service for their country.

The memorial is the result of the determination of former councillor Peter Henderson.