Welsh heroes of the Arctic fleet to receive Ushakov medals

Over the next two days, 78 prestigious Russian Ushakov naval medals are being presented to Welsh veterans who served in the Arctic convoys of the Second World War.

In March 2014, the Russian Government agreed to honour British veterans of the Arctic Convoys during the Second World War. The medal is awarded to sailors from the Royal Navy and the Merchant Navy who demonstrated courage and bravery by delivering supplies to the Eastern Front via the Arctic.

Two medal presentation ceremonies will take place in the next two days. Today, 11 medals will be presented in North Wales at Bodelwyddan Castle. Tomorrow, 67 medals will be presented at a special event attended by the First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones at City Hall in Cardiff.

Representatives of the Russian Embassy, the Royal Navy and the Royal British Legion will also be in attendance.

Speaking ahead of the medal presentation in Cardiff, First Minister Carwyn Jones said:

“It’ll be a great honour to join the Russian Government tomorrow to award the Ushakov Medal to the men who served bravely in the Arctic convoys of the Second World War.

“These men played an integral role in ensuring millions of tonnes of vital war supplies reached the Eastern front by traversing some of the most treacherous seas in the world. They not only fought enemy ships, U-Boats and airplanes, but also battled extreme weather, sailing with ship decks covered in ice in ferocious conditions of towering seas and hurricane force winds.

“The Ushakov Medal is a fitting counterpart to the UK’s Arctic Star campaign medal and it’s only right that these medals are awarded in Wales to the men who rightly deserve this recognition. I am pleased we’ve been able to work with the Russian Embassy and Cardiff Council, to be able to arrange this important ceremony.

“Sadly many men who made that journey through the Arctic are no longer with us to receive the medal, taken by war or age, but their contribution and sacrifice will not be forgotten.”

The Rt. Hon Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Cllr Margaret Jones, who will also be present at the ceremony tomorrow, said:

“These men were responsible for what Winston Churchill called “the toughest journey, the worst journey in the world.” The conditions they experienced were of an extremely tough nature and terrible losses were sustained, which we should remember today. On behalf of the people of Cardiff, I would like to commend their bravery and congratulate these men on receiving the recognition they deserve.”