LOCAL ARCTIC convoy heroes, who ran the gauntlet of German attacks to supply the Soviet Union in sub-zero temperatures during the last war, are looking forward to collecting long fought-for recognition.

After a hard-fought campaign, the British Government acknowledged that servicemen who kept Russia supplied to help defeat the Nazis were unfairly ignored when medals were given out after the war.

Now all veterans who braved submarine attacks and Luftwaffe fire to take vital supplies to Russia will be presented with an Arctic Star.

Made of white enamel with a red dot to represent Russia, it will be pinned to veterans’ existing campaign medals—the Atlantic Star or the 1939-1945 Star.

Local Arctic convoy veterans say they still believe a separate medal is justified and the Arctic Star was not everything they wanted, but it was a close second.

Commander Eddie Grenfell, a former pupil of Montrose Academy who led the Arctic medal campaign, and chairmen of the associations connected with the campaign have been fighting since 1997 for medals to be awarded to all veterans of the convoys, which carried military supplies to the Russian army between 1941 and 1945.

“At the end of the last war the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Burma and Pacific campaigns all got medals but no one could explain why there was not a medal for the Arctic,” he said.

“They offered us the Atlantic Star, but the Arctic is not in the Atlantic and we supplied the Russians.

“I am really happy with what we have achieved. It has been a tough campaign, but we have finally got the recognition the Arctic veterans deserved.

“The MoD has to arrange for the new star to be produced, which will take time. I am hopeful it may be ready by the summer.”

Jock Dempster, also a former pupil of Montrose Academy and chairman of the Scottish branch of the Russian Convoy Club, joined the Merchant Navy aged 16 and became an officer in the Royal Air Force.

“I’ve fought tooth and nail for this for nearly 10 years,” he said. “There’s no lack of MPs backing this up but because our faces don’t fit and we can’t kick a rugby ball, throw a cricket ball or write a pop song we’re forgotten about.

“While it is recognition of sorts, it is not what we were after. I don’t think we will ever see a medal, but it’s 100% better than the badge we were going to get.

“As much as we’re not happy about it, we’ll wear it on our lapels with pride.”

Ronnie Meade, an Arctic veteran from the Fintry area of Dundee, said, “There should have been a medal. Those who served in other campaigns, like the Middle East, all got medals but we were made to understand it was a different campaign.

“This is the best we can hope for and it’s better than nothing. It’s certainly a bit more recognition.”

Dundee-born Joe Schiavetta manned convoys carrying vital materials to the Russian port of Murmansk. He has lived in Nova Scotia since the end of the war.

“When I was over in Scotland a couple of years ago I took pictures of the Canadians that escorted these ships and they were all getting their medals,” he said.

“Tony Blair was going to give us medals but they were going to be like a badge and the Russian Convoy Club said no, we want a medal, and you can’t blame them for that.

“Every day we had bombing raids, we weren’t getting any sleep, and thank God for the Russian Air Force that kept above us. I’m glad to hear that our efforts are finally being recognised.”

Arctic veteran David Meek of Arbroath said, “I’ll take any recognition as it comes. For me it was never about the medals.”

Arctic Convoy veterans are being urged to write to the MoD to ensure they get their medal. The honours will also be available posthumously to families.

Dick Fraser of Dundee chaired the East of Scotland branch of the Russian Convoy Club until a year ago. Meetings ended due to a lack of surviving members.

“It’s been turned down by various governments,” he said. “It’s just a lapel badge but it’s the first time the government’s given us anything.

“Forty years after the end of the war the government in Russia allowed all those who served on ships in the Arctic Ocean to apply for the Russian Convoy medal.”

Richard Smith of Dundee manned convoys carrying materials to Murmansk. “The government is not prepared to give us a proper medal but came up with something that recognises our efforts,” he said.

“If Commander Grenfell supports it then I’m not against it. I’m not keeping very well but I’m going to make sure I claim my star.”