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Veterans meet for convoy tribute Anger at 'five pence' war honour
(about 11 hours later)
Veterans of the World War II Arctic convoys are gathering near a loch in the Highlands from where ships made treacherous trips to Russia. A veteran of the World War II Arctic convoys has told of anger and sadness among survivors that a UK medal has not been dedicated to their service.
The Royal Navy and representatives from Russia and Norway have also been invited to attend the tribute at Pool House in Wester Ross. Jock Dempster said they only had a badge - the Arctic Star - which was "the approximate size of a five pence".
Nearby Loch Ewe was a port for merchant ships carrying supplies to Archangel, Murmansk and the Kola Inlet. Mr Dempster said veterans were told to wear the badge on their lapels, not alongside other medals.
He was among those to deliver speeches at a gathering of veterans and VIPs at Loch Ewe in Wester Ross.
The loch was a port for merchant ships carrying supplies to Archangel, Murmansk and the Kola Inlet.
Successive UK Governments have refused to consider awarding a medal specifically for the Russian convoy campaign Jock DempsterConvoy veteran
Thousands died from exposure to sub-zero temperatures and attacks.Thousands died from exposure to sub-zero temperatures and attacks.
Winston Churchill called the Russian run "the worst journey in the world".Winston Churchill called the Russian run "the worst journey in the world".
Between 1941-45 ships also left the Clyde and ports in Iceland for the then Soviet Union. Sailings from Loch Ewe were made between 1942-44. At 80, Mr Dempster - who sent his speech to the BBC Scotland news website in advance of Thursday's gathering at Pool House Hotel - is the youngest of the Scottish survivors, whose average age is 86.
He joined the convoys as a junior ordinary seaman.
In his speech Mr Dempster, of Lothian, said veterans were awarded a National 40th Anniversary Commemorative Medal for the Patriotic War by the Russian government, but still did not have a UK campaign medal dedicated to convoy service.
He said: "Successive UK Governments have refused to consider awarding a medal specifically for the Russian convoy campaign, despite a nine-year intensive campaign by veterans for recognition.
"Mr (Tony) Blair did eventually award a badge to the veterans which reads 'Arctic Star', the approximate size of a five pence piece, which we are forbidden to wear alongside our British Campaign Medals.
"It must be worn on the lapel."
The badge has been awarded since 2006.
Mr Dempster was also to tell the gathering of the conditions sailors and airmen endured and of losses to attacks and extreme weather.
The Royal Navy and representatives from Russia and Norway were invited to attend the tribute in Wester Ross.
Between 1941 and 1945 ships also left the Clyde and ports in Iceland for the then Soviet Union. Sailings from Loch Ewe were made between 1942 and 1944.
Crews and vessels were lost in attacks from German aircraft and u-boats.Crews and vessels were lost in attacks from German aircraft and u-boats.
Scottish veterans recently made their annual visit to a memorial to the Loch Ewe convoys, but some hoped to make the journey to Wester Ross for Thursday's event. Scottish veterans recently made their annual visit to a memorial to the Loch Ewe convoys.
Co-incidentally, it comes at the time of Exercise Joint Warrior, a naval exercise that is held off the Scottish coast.