75th Anniversary of the Arctic Convoy missions.

[Administrator]

Dear Sir/Ma’am

I am emailing on behalf of The Ministry of Defence, regarding an event we are hoping to run in late October 2016. The event is to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Arctic Convoy missions, conducted during the Second World War.

I was wondering whether you have any contact details of Arctic Convoy veterans in your records? This is in order for my department to write to them and invite them to the event in Liverpool in October. It should be mentioned that this event is in the early stages of planning and there is currently no specific date, as this is yet to be confirmed.

I am also aware that, sadly, not all veterans will still be with us. Do you have details of those who have passed away? And if that is unfortunately the case, do you have contact details of their next of kin?

Any information you have would be most appreciated and helpful.

Kind Regards

Niall S McKiernan | Plt Off | Ceremonial Events & Commemoration Team | Main Building: 06.C.03, MOD, Whitehall, LONDON SW1A 2HB | * DII email: [e-mail] | * Personal: [e-mail]

[Administrator]

Arctic Convoy veterans honoured at 75th anniversary celebrations on Britannia

Over 250 guests including 42 veterans involved in the Arctic Convoys during WWII attended a reception on the evening of Tuesday 30th August arranged by the Consulate General of Russia, to celebrate the 75th Anniversary since the first ship left the West coast of Scotland.

The event was also attended by the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament Ken Makintosh, Provosts of various Scottish cities, representatives of the Consular corps in Edinburgh in Leith, the British navy, Veterans' organizations, as well as museums and enthusiasts supporting the Arctic Convoys Legacy.

A bus parade went on from the Consulate General on Melville Street to the Royal yacht "Britannia" on the retro wartime double-deckers, accompanied by an honorary police escort. Buses were marked with destination signs Murmansk and Arkhangelsk upon arrival veterans were greeted by the guard of honor and a Scottish military band. In the course of the evening the audience listened to the performance of the Russian group "Gubernia", and some Scottish artists.

A special address was forwarded by the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Sergey Lavrov to participants and guests of the reception on occasion of the 75th Anniversary of the arrival of the first Arctic Convoy from the UK to Archangel. He emphasized:

“The fate of thousands of sailors of Great Britain, the USSR, the United States and other allied countries was to challenge formidable Northern seas to confront the enemy, ready to attack at any moment. Many of them didn’t reach the land. Yet, the arrival of each ship to the harbors of the northern Russia was not just the delivery of a valuable cargo, it was a sign that the Soviet people are not alone in their struggle against fascism. Your courage and dedication brought much nearer the day when the man-hateful Nazi machine was finally defeated.”

At the reception there was a presentation of exclusive commemorative gifts, a photoalbum, which includes stories of the Arctic Convoys veterans that are based on interviews with them, as well as rare historical photographs and contemporary portraits of the heroes of the Convoys; the Russian Arctic tartan gift set registered by the Consulate General in honor of the Arctic Convoys as well as an exclusive limited Anniversary Edition of the Single Malt Scotch Whisky in honor of the first Arctic Convoy.

The Russian Consulate has collaborated with several key Scottish companies, including Albert Bartlett and The Scottish Salmon Company to deliver the event and produce a commemorative photo book, alongside other gifts for the veterans.

Russian Consul General in Edinburgh Andrey A.Pritsepov says: "Holding the reception onboard the yacht" Britannia "and other events within the framework of the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the" Dervish " is part of the long-term systematic work by the Russian Consulate General in Edinburgh to build the lasting legacy of the Convoys. We are planning to support the establishment of a charitable foundation that will support veterans, collect funds for the construction of a museum dedicated to the Convoys, the Memorial, development of tourist routes in memorable places associated with the history of the Convoys."

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