The worst thing was that the Merchant Seamen who served in a branch of service that was even more dangerous than the RAF, Navy, or Army. But up until recently they were not represented on the Cenotaphs nor where they allowed to march past them on Remembrance Day, because they were considered ‘civilians’. They were treated appallingly considering their job was just as vital to the war effort as those of the armed forces, much more dangerous and yet considerably less glamorous...
One veteran merchant seaman I know who made the Murmansk run complained how the Selective Service drafted him into the Army in 1947, because he failed to serve in the military while he was in the Merchant Marine during the Second World War. No medals, no recognition, just an extra two years in Occupied Japan in the Army.