Deep pride for seamen

Members of the Hull Independent Merchant Navy Association who are freemen of the city

The 357 members of the Hull Independent Merchant Navy Association have been made honorary freemen of the city.
The honour was granted in recognition of the contribution to the city made by all those seafarers, past and present, who sailed in the merchant navy.
"It was their efforts, often in difficult and dangerous waters that brought wealth, security and prosperity to this great port and nation, both in peace and war," said Lord Mayor of Hull Cllr Elaine Garland, who bestowed the honour in a ceremony at the Guildhall.
The oldest member of the association is 95-year-old John Puzey, of Kirkella.
Mr Puzey was awarded the MBE for acts of bravery during world war two when the ship on which he was an engineer was bombed by Japanese aircraft.
He attended the Guildhall ceremony along with more than 20 fellow members.
Accepting the honour, vice chair of the association, Mr Richard Skelton, said: "I accept it with deep pride and humility.
"Humility that so many seafarers paid the ultimate sacrifice, while manning the ships which delivered to this nation the desperately needed supplies of food and materials.
"They sailed all over the world, to support the armed services, taking stores, equipment, arms and personnel to wherever needed."
Freedom of the city is an ancient honour granted to organisations, allowing them the privilege to march into the city with drums beating, colours flying, and bayonets fixed.
This honour dates back to the laws of ancient Rome that made it a capital offence for Roman legions to enter the city in formation or with weapons without permission.
This was meant to ensure that ambitious generals did not mount a military coup.
Other freemen of Hull include Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, the British Army's Yorkshire Regiment, and the crew of HMS Iron Duke.
As this issue of Hull in print went to press, rugby league legend Johnny Whiteley was also due to be made a freeman of the city.