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| Arctic convoy veterans to get medal after years of campaigning | Arctic convoy veterans to get medal after years of campaigning |
| (4 months later) | |
| Veterans of the Arctic convoys that supplied Russia with vital fuel, food and munitions during the second world war are finally to be awarded their own medal after years of campaigning for proper recognition of their bravery. | Veterans of the Arctic convoys that supplied Russia with vital fuel, food and munitions during the second world war are finally to be awarded their own medal after years of campaigning for proper recognition of their bravery. |
| David Cameron has announced that a review by the former diplomat Sir John Holmes, who was asked to look at rules on military decorations, had concluded the Arctic veterans should have their own medal to mark "the very difficult work they did". | David Cameron has announced that a review by the former diplomat Sir John Holmes, who was asked to look at rules on military decorations, had concluded the Arctic veterans should have their own medal to mark "the very difficult work they did". |
| The review also said that veterans of Bomber Command had been "treated inconsistently with those who served in Fighter Command" and should also be entitled to a special RAF clasp. | The review also said that veterans of Bomber Command had been "treated inconsistently with those who served in Fighter Command" and should also be entitled to a special RAF clasp. |
| Earlier this year, a memorial to Bomber Command was unveiled in Hyde Park – a hugely symbolic moment for veterans who were involved in the controversial carpet bombings of German cities. | Earlier this year, a memorial to Bomber Command was unveiled in Hyde Park – a hugely symbolic moment for veterans who were involved in the controversial carpet bombings of German cities. |
| However, Wednesday's announcement was criticised by some convoy veterans, who said it was tainted by the fact that it had taken so long to recognise the courage of thousands who had died while wrangling continued. | However, Wednesday's announcement was criticised by some convoy veterans, who said it was tainted by the fact that it had taken so long to recognise the courage of thousands who had died while wrangling continued. |
| Cameron told MPs: "Sir John has recommended, and I fully agree, that there will be an Arctic Convoy Star medal. I am very pleased that some of the brave men of the Arctic convoy will get the recognition they so richly deserve for the very difficult work they did." | Cameron told MPs: "Sir John has recommended, and I fully agree, that there will be an Arctic Convoy Star medal. I am very pleased that some of the brave men of the Arctic convoy will get the recognition they so richly deserve for the very difficult work they did." |
| He added: "On Bomber Command, Sir John concluded they have been treated inconsistently with those who served in Fighter Command and has therefore recommended that the heroic air crews of Bomber Command should be awarded a Bomber Command clasp." | He added: "On Bomber Command, Sir John concluded they have been treated inconsistently with those who served in Fighter Command and has therefore recommended that the heroic air crews of Bomber Command should be awarded a Bomber Command clasp." |
| The Arctic convoys are credited with having played an important role in buoying Russia as Hitler mounted an invasion. | The Arctic convoys are credited with having played an important role in buoying Russia as Hitler mounted an invasion. |
| The supplies helped the Red Army to push back against the Nazis, but this effort came at a cost. | The supplies helped the Red Army to push back against the Nazis, but this effort came at a cost. |
| More than 3,000 seamen were killed during 78 convoys that delivered 4m tons of cargo. Eight-five merchant ships and 16 Royal Navy vessels were destroyed. It is thought 66,500 men sailed on the convoys, but only 200 are alive today. | More than 3,000 seamen were killed during 78 convoys that delivered 4m tons of cargo. Eight-five merchant ships and 16 Royal Navy vessels were destroyed. It is thought 66,500 men sailed on the convoys, but only 200 are alive today. |
| One of them, Commander Eddie Grenfell, said it should not have taken 67 years to get the recognition of a star medal. | One of them, Commander Eddie Grenfell, said it should not have taken 67 years to get the recognition of a star medal. |
| "I am very pleased that some of the brave men of the Arctic convoys will get the recognition they so richly deserve for the very dangerous work they did," the 92-year-old told the Press Association. | "I am very pleased that some of the brave men of the Arctic convoys will get the recognition they so richly deserve for the very dangerous work they did," the 92-year-old told the Press Association. |
| "We are pleased but not delighted. As soon as David Cameron came to power I reminded him of the promise. Only now has he got around to doing it. In the meantime God knows how many of my Arctic convoy chums have died waiting. All because we were waiting for these bloody politicians who have never heard a shot in their lives to make up their minds." | "We are pleased but not delighted. As soon as David Cameron came to power I reminded him of the promise. Only now has he got around to doing it. In the meantime God knows how many of my Arctic convoy chums have died waiting. All because we were waiting for these bloody politicians who have never heard a shot in their lives to make up their minds." |
| Veterans will not be able to receive their medals immediately. The Ministry of Defence has to draw up eligibility criteria before it will award the decorations, and that could take months. | Veterans will not be able to receive their medals immediately. The Ministry of Defence has to draw up eligibility criteria before it will award the decorations, and that could take months. |
| MPs who have campaigned for the veterans said it was high time they got the recognition they deserved. | MPs who have campaigned for the veterans said it was high time they got the recognition they deserved. |
| Penny Mordaunt, MP for Portsmouth North, said: "The Arctic convoys will now have the Campaign Star they deserve. It is overdue, and I regret that many brave men have not lived to see it." | Penny Mordaunt, MP for Portsmouth North, said: "The Arctic convoys will now have the Campaign Star they deserve. It is overdue, and I regret that many brave men have not lived to see it." |
| The Scotland secretary, Michael Moore, said: "The bravery and dedication of those who sailed with the Russian convoys has never been in doubt and I am glad the contribution they made to the course of the war is finally to be recognised by a medal. | The Scotland secretary, Michael Moore, said: "The bravery and dedication of those who sailed with the Russian convoys has never been in doubt and I am glad the contribution they made to the course of the war is finally to be recognised by a medal. |
| "Many of the convoys sailed from Scotland and the conditions, danger and heavy losses they suffered means we owe them our continued gratitude. It is fitting we remember and mark their sacrifice." | "Many of the convoys sailed from Scotland and the conditions, danger and heavy losses they suffered means we owe them our continued gratitude. It is fitting we remember and mark their sacrifice." |
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