Bravery of Arctic Convoy veterans recognised within weeks (From Daily Echo)

MP welcomes move to give Arctic Convoy medals out next month

10:51am Tuesday 26th February 2013 in News By Melanie Adams, Health Reporter

A HAMPSHIRE MP is delighted that the Arctic Convoy Veterans will be receiving their medals within weeks.

Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage has welcomed the news that the Second World War heroes will have their bravery officially recognised as early as next month.

This morning the Ministry of Defence announced that the production of the new Arctic Star will start this week and that living veterans and widows will be the first in line to receive the new medals in March.

The Prime Minister announced the new medals last December and after extensive consultation the final designs have now been agreed.

The Arctic Star will be based on the Second World Ward campaign stars featuring the head of King George VI.

All those who served for any length of time north of the Arctic Circle during the Second World War will be eligible for the medal.

Caroline, who has campaigned for a decade for a medal to be granted, said: “I'm delighted that having finally made the decision to award the medal, the Government has turned the design and criteria around in rapid time.

“The Arctic Convoy veterans are all heroes in the truest sense of the word. After ten years of campaigning my delight to see justice finally being done is tinged with sadness that so many are no longer alive to receive the medals they richly deserved.”