Arctic convoy medal decision due this year

HAVE YOUR SAY

30 October 2012

My foster father, Fred Oakley, was an arctic veteran, who had the misfortune to be on the fleet destroyer, HMS Offa, on PQ17. Sadly he died in Feb 1989.
He was twice in the water in the Atlantic, served on Malta convoys and was in an escort off Okinawa, when the atomic bombs were dropped on Japan
My natural father, John Atkinson, who I never knew, also served on destroyers throughout the war.
It is high time that the suffering of Royal Navy and Merchant Navy crews was properly recognised.
Another re-examination will result in precious few veterans being alive and fit enough to be honoured.
Peter Morton - Aylesbury

30 October 2012

I think that it is an absolute disgrace that RCN & RCNVR crew members who participated in the Artic run cannot receive this medal,even at this late date. Many members did not have the capability of responding in 1994 as e-mail was in it's infancy and regular mail was not an option in some cases. Please let those remaining Naval Veterans be honoured by the Russian Government. Our ship HMCS Haida was one of the ships that participated in that campaign and most of the crew membershave "crossed the bar"
Andy Barber - Mississauga Ontario Canada HMCS Haida Association - President

31 October 2012

A disgrace. What is the problem with it?

What idiot is making these rules?
Daniele Mandelli - Guildford

31 October 2012

The Conservative Friends of Russia are leading a very active campaign on this and have prepared a letter signed by over 40 MPs so far calling for a rethink. More information can be found on www.cfor.org.uk
Richard Royal - Conservative Friends of Russia

01 November 2012

My grandfather was on HMS Onslow through WW2, I have served for 27 years in the submarine service. What they endured I can only have nightmares about. I thank each you all gents Rn and Mn.
We owe so much to those who still live.
This has gone on too long.
Fred Perry - Uk

02 November 2012

The issue of the Atlantic Star at the end of World War II did not specify any connection with Arctic Convoys. To suggest that the Atlantic Star is now accepted as Arctic service does not apply as far as I am concerned.

On completion of initial training as a V/S Signalman in 1942 I was immediately drafted to the Mediterranean and remained in that theatr for more than two and a half years.

On return to the UK I eventaully joined HMS Anguilla, a Colony Class frigate class frigate and took part in Arctic duties.

I did not complete six months in Atlantic service, which is the qualifying period justifying the award of the Atlantic Star.

Therefore I am at a loss to understand the ruling given by this Government.
Frank Baynes - Surbiton, Surrey.

02 November 2012

2013 The year of the Convoy:

2013 is deemed the year of the Convoy: Lets end this and make every award available to those heroes as time permits: Future years will see fewer medals required for these brave men.

The only obstacle is what is called the five year rule: This in the past has been overruled much: It must be over ruled again for the year of the Convoy 2013 and for them.

Both the Royal and Merchant navies will honour and tribute our Acrtic heroes during 2013, the year of the convoy: Possibly our Government may do similar ?

RE: The five year rule: "This is somewhat contradictory to the award of the Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal for those who served in operations in Malaya/Malaysia between August 1957 and August 1966. This medal was first struck in 2005 and in 2011 unrestricted permission was given by Her Majesty The Queen for the acceptance and wearing of this medal, even though those who served in this theatre had already received the British General Service Medal, with additional Malaya/Borneo Clasp. I would also like to point out the fact of the award of the Naval GSM and GSM with Suez Canal Zone Clasp which was awarded in 2003 to those who had served between 16th October 1951 and 19th October 1954. This award was also originally subject to the five year rule and should not be considered, which was later changed and the Honours and Decorations Committee endorsed the recommendation"
Keith Greenway - Aylesbury

05 November 2012

This morning my Dads medals arrived to me in Pennsylvania USA
and that led me to this sight.His name is Frederick George Rogers and spent time on HMS Offa just like Fred Oakley .I wonder Peter did they know each other .
Paul Frederick Rogers - Erie Pennsylvania USA

10 November 2012

My father, an 87 year old Arctic Convoy veteran has 'accepted' his medal though has been told it is not recognised here in the UK and he cannot wear it. We expect him to be taken to the Tower any day:-)
http://dovegreyreader.typepad.com/dovegreyreader_scribbles/2012/11/the-arctic-convoys.html
dovegreyreader - Devon, UK

14 November 2012

My father in law John Kennedy McCarthy sadly past away 5 years ago at the age of 88. He was sent to Russia twice in the service of the Royal Navy, the second time he was onboard an American built fuel tanker. This ship was welded together not riveted he said "the fumes from the fuel where almost overpowering" While en-route to Murmansk German stuka's attacked his ship,they could not return fire at the aircraft for fear that a spark from there own guns would be enough to blow the ship up. fortunately he lived to tell the tale but he was never recognised by the Russian Government for his bravery. Our Government should also recognise that during WWII the Russians where our allies and not our enemies, the sailors who served in both the Royal or Merchant Navy should finaly have their bravery and sacrifice recognised.
Alan Wilson - Bolton

17 November 2012

The Minister's comment - "particularly unpleasant" is surely a masterpiece of understatement. My father (who is still alive) served on 16 convoys and in the two major sea battles in the Arctic and only recently has talked about it.The refusal to allow him and other veterans to receive the Ushakov Medal is both insulting and hypocritical. Honours are given to so called celebrities for being good at publicity but contribute little to our freedoms. The Veterans contributed an enormous amount to our freedom, their comrades with their lives. The have little time left before they cross the bar. let the Nation recognise them whilst it can.
Ian Francis - Barton North lincolnshire.

23 November 2012

I was 16 years old when in 1943 my ship was trapped in the White Sea with 3 ice breakers being attacked by German bombers. Now 86 years and termmanly ill.Do'nt you think I deserve the medal

N.Boden - Immingham Linc's

27 November 2012

my father served as a Lieutenant in RN on Russian Convoys His name was Edward Stanley winton Maclure. Never talked about the war. My sisters and I feel he should have received a medal from the Russians. Sadly he died at 91 in 2000. Will they award medals to families of these brave men?
Anne Hibberd(nee Maclure) - Portsmouth England

13 December 2012

My father served with the merchant navy !D- Day landings with Llangibby Castle, he never understood why the brave men of the Antarctic Convoys or the merchant navy ever received a medal for their couragous war service and country was ever recognised.He died in 2002, l feel ashamed that his country never issued a medal to recognise his outstanding service to his country, whom he loved dearly,god rest his soul!God bless him and all that served with him!He was only 16yrs.
Brian R,SHIRLEY - Ilminster/Amersham,Bucks.England.

19 December 2012

HOORAY THEY HAVE FINALLY DONE IT!!!! Well done everyone!!!
Brian R SHIRLEY - Ilminster and AmershamBucks.

18 January 2013

my father also served on HMS Cassandra as Torpedo officer during return convoy RA 62 - but on 11th dec 1944/Barents sea it received a direct hit from U365 - bow section forward of 'B' gun including crew were lost
Peter J Heale - West Stafford, Dorset

21 January 2013

My dad (Kenneth John Aldridge, currently aged 88 and from Kettering)served in the Royal Navy during the war and remembers the horrific conditions he survived during escort duty on the Russian Convoys. He went on three convoys I think. To deny these men, who were only boys when they enlisted and spent their youth serving their country, the opportunity to receive this medal is petty beurocracy gone mad. We should thank them in whatever way we can instead of denying them something they so rightly earned.
Susan Collins (nee Aldridge) - Kettering Northamptonshire

18 February 2013

My Father, Alfred Blake, was killed on the 20th September 1942 whilst serving in the Royal Navy on the HMS Leda. She was a Minesweeper and they were on the Russian Convoy returning from Murmansk and HMS Leda was torpedoed by a German U-boat. I was a baby and never knew him but would like to apply for the Artic Award. How do I do this?
Roger Blake - Norwich, Norfolk


Roger Blake - Norwich, Norfolk

18 February 2013

My Father, Alfred Blake, was killed on the 20th September 1942 whilst serving in the Royal Navy on the HMS Leda. She was a Minesweeper and they were on the Russian Convoy returning from Murmansk and HMS Leda was torpedoed by a German U-boat. I was a baby and never knew him but would like to apply for the Artic Award. How do I do this?
Roger Blake - Norwich, Norfolk


Roger Blake - Norwich, Norfolk

26 February 2013

Our late Dad served on these convoys.He passed away in 1986 aged 83.If any one knows how to contact the authorities who are handing out these medals please let us know via face book.
barbara g botting - horsham uk

27 February 2013

My grandad Chief Stoker Dave Wainwright(sadly passed Nov 2012) was on OFFA and mentioned PQ17 many times, also on board during slapton sands incident and the subsequent E-Boat chase, as a currently serving HM forces member have started my application on his behalf
Matt Wainwright - Sleaford, England

01 March 2013

My Mum sadly lost her brother Cyril James Miall when his destroyer the HMS Cassandra was torpedoed - December 11, 1944. Medals should be awarded to families of these very brave young men!!!!
Susan Moses - Northwood, England

19 March 2013

My brother James Edward Giacomelli was on the Nigeria in the artic fleet he was a Petty Officer cook. I believe he was in the waters at one time and suffered bad shoulder injuries, he died with heart trouble in 1980`s.
M.G. Clarke (Mrs) - East Sussex

29 March 2013

My father who died in 1984 served aboard HMS Ashanti both in the arctic on many convoy runs and Pedestal in the mediteranean . Since his death, I have spent many hours researching books and the internet to verify his service and entitlements .So far I have obtained his campaign medals ( through medal dealers )the arctic emblem ( from the MOD ) and have applied for the new arctic star. However the russian medals cannot be issued posthumously (why ?)so I will need to again buy those . My point is my father could bareley bringhimself to speak of any of these events when he was alive ,except when he was overcome with emotion (they call it PTSD now) and almost inconsolable, who are these faceless people who have never and will never put themselves through this to deny some small recognition of what was taken from these men ? My reason for researching and obtaining these awards is to be able to pass on to my son ( who never knew his grandfather) some tangible record of his contribution to our future.The shame is that these men were never truly appreciated at the time and now it is getting harder and harder to achieve this recognition .
Ian Pinnegar - Peterborough

11 April 2013

MY DAD WAS ON THE RUSSIAN CONVOYS
DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT IT THINK HE WAS ON HMS SPEEDWELL
DAVID LAVENDER - IPSWICH