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Medal and clasp for Arctic convoy and bomber veterans Medal and clasp for Arctic convoy and bomber veterans
(35 minutes later)
Veterans who served on Arctic convoys and in Bomber Command during World War II are to be recognised for their bravery and service with a new medal and award.Veterans who served on Arctic convoys and in Bomber Command during World War II are to be recognised for their bravery and service with a new medal and award.
The Ministry of Defence said it had agreed on a design for the new Arctic Star medal and Bomber Command clasp.The Ministry of Defence said it had agreed on a design for the new Arctic Star medal and Bomber Command clasp.
The honours will be sent out to veterans and their families as soon as next month.The honours will be sent out to veterans and their families as soon as next month.
Surviving veterans and widows will be the first to receive the awards.Surviving veterans and widows will be the first to receive the awards.
The families of those who served will also be able to apply.The families of those who served will also be able to apply.
More than 3,000 men died in the freezing waters of the Arctic as they worked to keep supplies flowing through German blockades to Britain's ally, the Soviet Union, in Operation Dervish.More than 3,000 men died in the freezing waters of the Arctic as they worked to keep supplies flowing through German blockades to Britain's ally, the Soviet Union, in Operation Dervish.
The death toll of those serving in Bomber Command was even greater with 55,000 airmen losing their lives.The death toll of those serving in Bomber Command was even greater with 55,000 airmen losing their lives.
'Worst journey''Worst journey'
A quarter of a million men did survive both these dangerous missions - though many have since died.A quarter of a million men did survive both these dangerous missions - though many have since died.
Sixty years on their bravery is being recognised with the Arctic Star medal for those who sailed on the convoys and the Bomber Command clasp for those who flew at least one operational mission over Germany and France.Sixty years on their bravery is being recognised with the Arctic Star medal for those who sailed on the convoys and the Bomber Command clasp for those who flew at least one operational mission over Germany and France.
The Bomber Command clasp will attach to the 1939 to 1945 Star for which those veterans had previously qualified.The Bomber Command clasp will attach to the 1939 to 1945 Star for which those veterans had previously qualified.
The announcement is expected to be made in a written statement by Defence minister Mark Francois on Tuesday morning.The announcement is expected to be made in a written statement by Defence minister Mark Francois on Tuesday morning.
The final designs were agreed following extensive consultation after Prime Minister David Cameron announced the awards in December.The final designs were agreed following extensive consultation after Prime Minister David Cameron announced the awards in December.
Mr Cameron said he had accepted the recommendations of a review of military medals carried out by former diplomat Sir John Holmes. The decision followed a long campaign.Mr Cameron said he had accepted the recommendations of a review of military medals carried out by former diplomat Sir John Holmes. The decision followed a long campaign.
The mission to keep supply lines to the Soviet ports of Murmansk and Archangel open was described as the "worst journey in the world" by former Prime Minister Winston Churchill.The mission to keep supply lines to the Soviet ports of Murmansk and Archangel open was described as the "worst journey in the world" by former Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
Russia has previously wanted to present its own Ushakov Medal to Britons who had served on the convoys, but the move was blocked by the UK Foreign Office (FCO).
The British government said its rules on foreign awards meant permission could not be granted if veterans had received or were expected to receive a UK medal for the same services.
The FCO added that prior to the announcement of a specific award for the Arctic convoys, all British veterans were eligible for the Atlantic Star.