ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

British merchant seamen of World War II

British merchant seamen were people who worked on big ships that carried things like food, clothes, and weapons during World War II. These ships were very important because they helped keep people safe and supplied during a very difficult time.

The people who worked on the ships were called seamen, and their job was to help the ship move around and make sure everything was running correctly. They had very important jobs, like steering the ship and deciding how fast it should go.

During the war, the seas were very dangerous because other countries were fighting too. Sometimes, enemy ships would try to attack the British ships and hurt the people on board. The merchant seamen had to be very brave and careful so that the ship and everyone on it would be safe.

The merchant seamen were also very important because they helped Britain win the war. They delivered supplies to soldiers fighting on the front lines, and without them, the war would have been much harder for the British to win.

Many merchant seamen lost their lives during World War II, and we should remember and honor their brave service and sacrifice.