Post by Administrator on Jun 7, 2016 14:30:58 GMT
Russia honours Arctic Convoy heroes
Published: Monday, 6th June 2016
Russia is bestowing one of its highest military honours on Arctic Convoy veterans at a ceremony at Warrington Town Hall.
Warrington Borough Council and Warrington Mayor Cllr Faisal Rashid will host the mayors of Halton and St Helens and representatives from the Russian Embassy at the ceremony.
The Arctic Convoys of the Second World War sailed from the UK, North America and Iceland to ports in northern Russia between August 1941 and May 1945. About 1,400 merchant ships delivered supplies to aid the Russian fight against Nazi Germany and were escorted by Royal Navy ships.
The Navy lost 16 warships and 85 of the merchant vessels were sunk.
Konstantin Shlykov, from the Russian Embassy in London, said: “These brave men have been awarded, by decree of the President, Ushakov Medals.
“This is Russia's highest award for naval merit, second only to Hero of Russia. Being a high state award, these medals can only be presented in person, by an Embassy diplomat or a high ranking British official.”
As part of the ceremony, renowned Russian sculptor Leonty Usov has donated a wooden bust of Mikhail Sholokhov, the Russian Nobel prize laureate in literature, to Warrington Town Hall.
Warrington Mayor Cllr Faisal Rashid said: “We are honoured to be presenting these courageous men with awards to mark their gallantry in serving their country in the Second World War.
“We are also delighted to be able to thank Mr Usov for his wonderful work of art that will be displayed in the Town Hall.”
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