Cyril Butler and Eddie Piercy have been recognised for their services to The Merchant Navy
Eddie Piercy, left, and Cyril Butler,right, have received MBEs from The King in recognition of their service to Hull Independent Merchant Navy Association(Image: Submitted)
Hull’s Independent Merchant Navy Association will toast two of their members who have received MBE.s in the King’s Birthday Honours list.
Cyril “Cab” Butler, 87, and Edwin “Eddie” Piercy, 81, were recognised for their services to The Merchant Navy in Hull. Both are long-standing and founder members of The Hull Independent Merchant Navy Association and recently stepped down from senior roles in the Association after many years of loyal service. They will continue as valuable members of the committee.
The Association has a strong and vibrant membership and meets monthly to help raise money for charity. Cyril and Eddie both formally represent and support Merchant Navy Members across Hull and East Yorkshire.
They have members stretching from Scarborough to Immingham, Harrogate to Goole. HIMNA has more than 200 members and was founded in 1991 with Cyril and Eddie being the instigators who have also been the driving force in the growth and success of the Association over the years.
The Association looks after members from The Merchant Navy, associate members from the fishing community, Royal Navy, submariners, and tugmen as well their families. The Merchant Navy contributes to the wealth, culture and heritage of Hull and have been instrumental in giving the city its own distinctive character.”
The Association was founded with the help of Cyril and Eddie from 1991. Spokeswoman for the Association, Hazel Armstrong said: “The Merchant Navy contributes to the wealth, culture and heritage of Hull and have been instrumental in giving the city it’s own distinctive character.”
She added: “We would not be here without Cyril and Eddie. They instigated the memorial around the city dedicated to seafarers. There is the memorial at the back of the maritime museum and the bench at The Minerva pier and the memorial in East Park. The two of them helped raise the profile of the Merchant Navy.”
Claire Piercy said: “Dad was chairman of the Association. Both Cyril and Eddie are thrilled and honoured to receive the awards. They don’t want to make a fuss but there are a lot of people that love them and want to make a fuss because they deserve the awards. I am so proud of them both.”
She added: “The Association is a lifeline for many who were in the Merchant Navy.” King George V granted the title of ‘Merchant Navy’ to the UK’s shipping industry after The First World War to recognise the seafarers’ contribution in many battles at sea. The Merchant Navy also has the honour of having an official flag flying day on September 8 for Merchant Navy Day, also granted by The Crown.
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