Downing Street reception for Artic Convoy heroes

The heroes of the Second World War Artic Convoys have been honoured at a reception at Downing Street.

The veterans, who helped escort supplies through U-boat infested waters in artic weather conditions to Russia, received a special 'emblem' to commemorate their achievements.

Forty convoys undertook the dangerous 1,500 to 2,000-mile run, which was regarded as one of the deadliest routes during the war. Nearly 3,000 British sailors and merchant seamen lost their lives during the journeys.

Speaking at today's ceremony, Prime Minister Tony Blair praised the "exceptional service" those who served on the Artic Convoys had given. He said: "You played a crucial role in supplying Britain's ally on the Eastern Front with material without which she would have found it difficult, if not impossible, to survive and maintain the fight. You did this in conditions so harsh that those of us who did not serve on the convoys cannot begin to imagine what you went through. The government is determined to carry on paying tribute to people who gave and risked their lives for the freedom of our country.

The special Artic Emblem will be available to all Artic veterans or their next of kin and will be able to be worn as a recognised addition to medals.

The veterans had held a long campaign for a medal in recognition of the Artic Convoys and there has been some criticism that the veterans will only receive a badge and not a medal. One veteran told BBC Radio 4 that "a badge means nothing", while Conservative Shadow Defence Minister Gerald Howarth was reported as saying the government had "failed to take this opportunity" to award the veterans a dedicated campaign medal.

However, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said that the Artic Convoys had been included in the criteria for the Atlantic Star. In a statement, the MoD said: "It is the long-established policy of the HD Committee that they will not consider the retrospective award of new medals more than five years after the event, nor will they consider "double medalling" for the same campaign.

"However, the Prime Minister and his cabinet colleagues believe that the service the Artic veterans gave and the conditions suffered warrant recognition with their own award."

(KMcA/SP)