Russia to honour town’s Arctic Convoy veterans

RUSSIA is to bestow one of its highest military honours on local World War 2 Arctic Convoy veterans at a ceremony at Warrington Town Hall.
The borough council and Mayor Cllr Faisal Rashid (pictured) will host the mayors of Halton and St Helens and representatives from the Russian Embassy at the ceremony.
Konstantin Shlykov, from the Russian Embassy in London, said: “These brave men have been awarded, by decree of the President, Ushakov Medals.
“This is Russia’s highest award for naval merit, second only to Hero of Russia. Being a high state award, these medals can only be presented in person, by an embassy diplomat or a high ranking British official.”
As part of the ceremony, renowned Russian sculptor Leonty Usov has donated a wooden bust of Mikhail Sholokhov, the Russian Nobel prize laureate in literature, to Warrington Town Hall. The donation is on behalf of the people of Tomsk.
Cllr Rashid said: “We are honoured to be presenting these courageous men with awards to mark their gallantry in serving their country in the Second World War.
“We are also delighted to be able to thank Mr Usov for his wonderful work of art that will be displayed in the Town Hall.”
The Arctic Convoys of the Second World War sailed from the UK, North America and Iceland to ports in northern Russia between August 1941 and May 1945. About 1,400 merchant ships delivered supplies to aid the Russian fight against Nazi Germany and were escorted by Royal Navy ships. The Navy lost 16 warships and 85 of the merchant vessels were sunk.
Receiving the award will be veterans from Warrington, Runcorn, St Helens and Widnes.