Post by Administrator on Jun 13, 2016 16:48:00 GMT
VETERANS had one of Russia’s highest military honours bestowed upon them in a Town Hall ceremony on Friday.
Nine veterans who ran treacherous convoys to Russia during the Second World War were recognised as they were presented Ushakov Medals by representatives from the Russian embassy on behalf of President Vladimir Putin.
Renowned Russian sculptor Leonty Usov also donated a wooden bust of Mikhail Sholokhov, the Russian Nobel prize laureate in literature, to the Town Hall on behalf of the people of Tomsk.
A number of Arctic convoys 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.
Stockton Heath resident Valentin Edwards, originally from Radnor Street in Whitecross, was one resident who received the Ushakov medal for his Russian convoy in 1942.
His son-in-law Frank Baguley said: “I think for the family it is an honour and we’re proud that he’s been recognised.
“Dad’s in a nursing home at the moment and the people in there are amazed – there is one who was in tears this morning.
LINK