Post by Administrator on Apr 29, 2017 21:04:13 GMT
Honour for Island Arctic Convoy hero
THE heroism of an Islander who took part in the perilous Arctic Convoy missions of the Second World War was celebrated yesterday at a reception held in his honour.
Bob Champion (93) was the leading torpedo operator on HMS Kent, which took part in the Arctic Convoys – missions north of the Arctic Circle to deliver vital supplies and aid to Russia, to help the Soviets withstand the Nazi war machine.
Earlier this month, Mr Champion received the Arctic Star, a military campaign medal for those who served on the Arctic Convoys north of the Arctic Circle.
And at the special reception, held at the Jeanne Jugan Residence care home, Mr Champion was honoured for his wartime efforts in the Arctic by the Bailiff, William Bailhache, the Lieutenant-Governor Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, and Commodore Jamie Miller.
The Arctic convoys transported four million tons of supplies and munitions to Russia between 1941 and 1945, but the crews faced appalling danger and hardship.
Sub-zero temperatures and enemy fire from German U-boats and aircraft were just some of the dangers they had to brave, and more than 3,000 Allied sailors lost their lives north of the Arctic Circle.
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THE heroism of an Islander who took part in the perilous Arctic Convoy missions of the Second World War was celebrated yesterday at a reception held in his honour.
Bob Champion (93) was the leading torpedo operator on HMS Kent, which took part in the Arctic Convoys – missions north of the Arctic Circle to deliver vital supplies and aid to Russia, to help the Soviets withstand the Nazi war machine.
Earlier this month, Mr Champion received the Arctic Star, a military campaign medal for those who served on the Arctic Convoys north of the Arctic Circle.
And at the special reception, held at the Jeanne Jugan Residence care home, Mr Champion was honoured for his wartime efforts in the Arctic by the Bailiff, William Bailhache, the Lieutenant-Governor Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, and Commodore Jamie Miller.
The Arctic convoys transported four million tons of supplies and munitions to Russia between 1941 and 1945, but the crews faced appalling danger and hardship.
Sub-zero temperatures and enemy fire from German U-boats and aircraft were just some of the dangers they had to brave, and more than 3,000 Allied sailors lost their lives north of the Arctic Circle.
LINK