Navy

91-Year-Old WWII Veteran Honoured After 70 Years

A 91-year-old World War Two veteran has been awarded a medal in recognition of his bravery over seven decades ago.

Gerard Grant, from Lytham St Anne's in Lancashire, was presented with his Russian Ushakov medal for serving as a petty officer on board HMS Jamaica as part of the Arctic Convoy.

Mr Grant was awarded the medal last year but was unable to attend to receive it in person. He instead asked Blind Veterans UK to collect the medal on his behalf.

After collecting the medal from the Russian Embassy in London, the Chief Executive of Blind Veterans UK, and a retired Major General in the British Army, presented Gerry with the award at his home on Tuesday.

Until 2013, the Foreign Office did not allow Russia to honour veterans like Gerry as it broke the rules on foreign medals.

The Arctic Convoy was made up of vessels which travelled from Britain to Russia to keep the Soviet Union supplied with vital goods and weapons during World War II.

The Arctic route that ships like Gerry's took was described by Churchill as the "worst journey in the world" and, by the end of the war, more than 100 ships and 3000 allied seamen were lost.

Gerry has received support from Blind Veterans UK since 2001 after losing his sight overnight due to what is known as an "eye stroke". He said:

"Churchill's description of the journey was exactly right. It was the toughest challenge of my life. The ships could get very iced up at times and that could lead to them getting top-heavy. We also had the constant threat of German U-Boats.

"I'm so pleased that Major General Caplin presented me with this medal. Blind Veterans UK has been such a help to me since I lost my sight. I don't know where I would be without them.

"It is an honour to receive this award. After the war, a lot of the group that made up the Arctic Convoy formed the 'North Russia Club'. I was wearing my club tie when I was presented with the medal and I was collecting it on behalf of all of them, many of whom are sadly no longer here to pick up their own."