Arctic Convoy heroes presented medals at Downing Street (From Andover Advertiser)
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Arctic Convoy heroes presented medals at Downing Street
12:06pm Tuesday 19th March 2013 in Basingstoke By Emily Roberts, Chief Reporter
Roy Dykes with David Cameron on the HMS Belfast after being awarded his medal
THE heroes of the Arctic Convoy missions have finally been awarded medals from the Government for their bravery during the Second World War.
Following a 16-year campaign, the veterans travelled to Downing Street today where the Prime Minister, David Cameron, was due to present the Arctic Star and Bomber Command Clasp to 65 veterans, at around 11am.
Roy Dykes, from Lynch Hill Park, Whitchurch, was among those due to accept his medal, having waited nearly 70 years for the formal recognition.
The 93-year-old served on the Arctic Convoy missions between 1941 and 1945, when they delivered vital supplies to the Soviet Union. The former Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy told The Gazette before receiving the medal: “At last this Government recognises that campaign for how important it was.”
More than 3,000 British sailors died on the convoys, described by war-time Prime Minister Winston Churchill as “the worst journey in the world.”
Mr Cameron made a decision in December to award the medal following an independent review into the rules governing the award of military medals.
AndrewRH says...
10:28am Thu 21 Mar 13
Roy Dykes, former mayor of Whitchurch, who is second from left in your photo, is rightly praised as the deputy leader of the 16-year long campaign to convince the MoD and successive governments that a specific medal is required for those who served above the Arctic Circle (not just to be grouped together with those who served in the Med or Atlantic).
I and various members of my family had the pleasure to meet with Roy on several occasions to interview him during the final couple years of his campaign (I didn't know about the campaign before then). He is a true gentleman and very patient with this amateur volunteer cameraman!
The interviews of Roy are on the "WhitchurchHants" YouTube channel of the town website.
A tip of the hat to the Basingstoke Gazette, too, for also raising awareness of the campaign.
~Andrew~