Hopes for war veterans raised

Published on Tuesday 15 February 2011 13:19

HOPES have been raised that veterans who served in one of the toughest campaigns of the Second World War may soon be finally recognised with a medal.

With the 70th anniversary of the start of the Arctic convoys to take vital supplies to the Soviet Union during the Second World War fast approaching defence minister Gerald Howarth this week said a decision on whether to award the veterans of the campaign will be made "very soon".

Mr Howarth made his comments when he made a surprise appearance at a reception for the Arctic veterans on Tuesday night. His was taken as a sign that the government will overturn previous decisions to not award a medal.

The Arctic campaign helped turn the course of the war by keeping the Soviet Union supplied and supporting the Eastern front against Nazi Germany. But despite the loss of more than 3,000 men and having to suffer conditions of minus 60 degrees centigrade while running the gauntlet of air, submarine and battleship attack the men who served in it were ignored after the Second World War.

Medal campaign leader Cdr Eddie Grnefell said: "The Conservative promised in opposition that they would create a medal, now they must keep that promise."