One of the last remaining veterans of the Arctic Convoys, Kenneth Reith, has passed away.
Lieutenant Commander Reith died peacefully in Victoria Hospital at the age of 88.
Mr Reith, who was awarded the Russian Ushakov Medal for his service during the Second World War, was diagnosed with mesothelioma earlier this year, thought to be a result of years of inhaling asbestos in the navy.
Born in 1927, Mr Reith, of Carnock, Fife, served with the Royal Navy for 40 years, joining at the age of 15.
He joined the convoys, described by Winston Churchill as the “worst journey in the world”, when he was 17, as a signalman on HMS Diadem.
He was among 3,000 servicemen from across the UK who took part in the missions to sail four million tonnes of vital supplies to soldiers fighting on the Eastern Front.
His job was particularly important as all manoeuvres and administrative messages had to be sent by flags or Morse light to avoid radio interception by the enemy.
Mr Reith sailed on four convoys, enduring atrocious weather conditions.
Mr Reith leaves behind Frances, who he married in February.
There will be standards from the Rosyth and West Fife branch and Fife area of the Royal Naval Association and a Royal Marine bugler at a celebration of his life at Dunfermline Crematorium on Wednesday.