Appeal to trace last veterans of Russian Arctic convoys
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A worldwide appeal has been launched to trace the last remaining veterans of the World War II Russian Arctic convoys in time for a landmark anniversary.
A memorial event is being planned on Saturday, May 16, to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the war and the Arctic convoys which provided four million tons of supplies and munitions to Russia between 1941 and 1945.
The then prime minister Sir Winston Churchill called the missions, carried out in freezing and dangerous conditions and amid enemy attacks, the "worst journey in the world".
The event will be held at Loch Ewe in Wester Ross, a gathering point for many of the convoys and now the site of the Russian Arctic Convoy Museum.
Already 19 veterans have confirmed they will take part, including one who lives in New Zealand, and almost 100 families of the surviving and deceased heroes have registered to attend. Four Russian war veterans have also signed up.
Organisers are now trying to track down any other veterans from the UK and Russia to join the commemoration, which will be attended by senior members of the military and leading dignitaries.
These include Churchill’s granddaughter, Celia Sandys, who said: “My grandfather’s comment at the time underlined the perilous nature of the expeditions and many made the ultimate sacrifice. It will be an honour to be part of the 75th anniversary event and to be able to pay tribute to the surviving veterans and those who lost their lives serving their country.”
Seventeen countries have been identified whose nationals were involved in the Arctic convoys and Russia, Germany, India, New Zealand and Denmark will all send senior representatives.
We aim to contact as many veterans or their families as possible and hope they will be able to attend this commemoration.
Commercial and charity sponsorship has been arranged to help as many of the surviving sailors as possible attend the commemoration. This includes funding for qualifying veterans and their carers, if they are in need of travel assistance, through the HM Treasury fund D-Day Revisited.
John Casson, co-chairman of the Russian Arctic Convoy Project, which runs an exhibition centre at Aultbea, is co-ordinating the 75th anniversary.
He said: “The convoys provided Russia with much-needed supplies to help them continue the fight against the Germans on the Eastern Front, providing the opportunity for the Allies to launch D-Day.
“Many lost their lives at the time and others have passed away over the years. The remaining survivors are now elderly and, sadly, this will be one of the last occasions we have to thank them in person for their wartime efforts.
“Therefore, this anniversary is a momentous occasion and one when we can again raise awareness of this incredible episode in history and the remarkable people who were part of it.
“We aim to contact as many veterans or their families as possible and hope they will be able to attend this commemoration.”
Veterans or their families wishing to attend the event should contact John Casson on johncasson@johncasson.com
For more information on the Russian Arctic convoys and the 75th anniversary visit www.theracmproject.org
