Derek Albert Tilley (90)

[Administrator]

Derek Albert Tilley (90) from Mansfield was presented with the Ushakov Medal on 12/4/2016.

Former Notts Sailor Receives Medal from Russia.

Derek Albert Tilley (90) from Mansfield was presented with the Ushakov Medal today – Tuesday 12 April by the Chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council, Councillor Sybil Fielding.

Mr Tilley is a veteran of the Arctic Convoys, which played a key role in defeating Hitler during the Second World War. It is thought that millions of Russians would have starved to death without the courage shown by the sailors on-board the Arctic Convoys in getting supplies to the war-torn country between August 1941 and May 1945.

“The courage of Mr Tilley and his Arctic Convoy colleagues should always be remembered and respected. History tells us that, without the contribution of the Arctic Convoys, the war against Hitler may well have been lost. We owe all these veterans a huge debt of gratitude.”

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[Administrator]

Mr Tilley joined the navy in 1943 and served as a ‘Target Ranger’ on the destroyer, HMS Scourge which accompanied merchant navy ships carrying essential supplies on the perilous journey to ports in northern Russia.

He recalls: “I remember having to regularly chip the ice away from the superstructure of the boat and how it seemed to be cold and dark constantly. I used to feel especially sorry for the merchant navy ships who we were there to protect because they were the ones that were being targeted for attack the most but we were all in danger all of the time.

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