New Medal for Arctic Convoy Veterans WW2

[Wendi]

The Arctic Star

After an 8 year campaign for recognition of their feats the British Government have finally struck The Arctic Star, available to anyone who served for 24 hours or more above latitude 63 degrees north, understood to be more than 10,000 men.

This includes men taking vital supplies to Russia, while under constant German attack during 1941/45, those based in Murmansk and Archangel and those engaged in the ill-fated Norwegian Campaign of 1940.

Applications may be made by the men or if now deceased, by their families, marked "Arctic Emblem Application" to

DS Sec-Honours 1
Floor 8
Zone J
Ministry of Defence Main Building
Whitehall
London
SW1A 2HB

About time, and well done to all those who campaigned.
Wendi

[RuthieB]

I should say so!!
My Dad has just had news that he is to get one - he's written quite a few letters about it in his time. If he gets around to having a photo taken with the other medals, white beret and the new star, I'll try and post it

Congratulations Dad!

[liverpool annie]

For sure ............

 
Congratulation's Ruthie B's Dad and Thank you!!
Love to see a photo!

Annie 

[Thudnut]

Long overdue!!

Congratulations to those entitled to wear the medal.  To the families of those who have passed on, wear your relative's medal with pride.

With much respect.
Thudders

[RuthieB]

I just wonder how many will know whether they can claim a medal or not? 
Dad talks more freely now about where he went, although there are still things I wouldn't dream asking about. It's only in the last ten years or so I even KNEW he was on the Arctic convoys... (or was it just me who was slow to pick up on it...)

To all those who are entitled - Thank you.

[Wendi]

Hi Ruthie

That's why I posted.  The more it's talked about the more chance is these strong men, or their families will hear about it. 

Their endurance deserved national recognition. 

although there are still things I wouldn't dream asking about

it's understandable, if not frustrating for us historians.

Wendi

[RuthieB]

Ooh! Perhaps I should write to my local paper (different to Dad's) and make sure it's publicised...

Thans Wendi!!
RuthieBx

[OldBraggs]

Just to avoid confusion, it is an emblem to wear on a ribbon and not an actual medal in itself. Whatever the rights and wrongs of the case, the myth that these men did not receive any recognition is annoying. Anyone that served on the Arctic Convoys could have received the 1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star and War Medal.

Other unfair decisions were limiting the Battle of Britain clasp and limiting awards of the Air Crew Europe Star. I would say that some elements of the RAF came off a lot worse for recognition than the Arctic Convoy men.

The decision to award an emblem is a poor one. It would have made more sense to produce an Arctic Convoy clasp. This would have maintained the logic of the WWII medals and clasps. An emblem doesn't fit the original scheme.

Steve

[RuthieB]

I'm sure my Dad would argue with that.

I have no idea of the rights and wrongs of which you speak, but please. start a different thread and don't take anything away from the recognition my Dad deserves!!  I know that when he returned to port, the War was long over and there were no great crowds lining the quayside.

RuthieB