Russian Convoy Runs

Alexander Welsh Cryans KX93673 POSM
My father in law was drafted to H.M.S Obedient in 1944 doing various duties in home waters, and then the ship was converted into a mine laying destroyer.
In his notes that I now have, after his death, they state that the object of H.M.S Obedient being converted into a mine laying destroyer was to assist the mine laying cruisers (Appolo, Manxman and Ariande) and he was used on the Russian Convoy Runs.
Would this duty make him entitled to have recieved the Artic Emblem?
I understand that, The Arctic Convoys sailed from Scotland to the Russian ports of Murmansk and Archangel between 1941 and 1945 and were notoriously dangerous because of their proximity to German bases in occupied Norway.
Almost 3,000 men perished and in one convoy, in 1942, only 11 out of 36 merchant ships survived. According to MoD records, there are 200 surviving Arctic Convoy veterans in Scotland.
Can anyone help with my query? I have attached a scan of Alexander's medals that were awarded to him if that helps.
Dave

 

Thank you Owen, it looks good as you say so I will get the application form sent off tomorrow. Would I need a next of kin decleration with the application.

Dave

 

The veterans of the Arctic convoys will have their last meeting next Thursday (9 Oct 08) at the Pool House Hotel in Poolewe. The members will return their engraved bell to its symbolic home. The Pool House Hotel was used to co-ordinate convoys from Loch Ewe to Russia.

Roxy

 

Medals - The Arctic Emblem

Can you prove he fits the criteria?if so here's the application form.
http://veterans-uk.info/pdfs/medals/arctic_emblem.pdf



Details on where the ship was,
HMS Obedient, destroyer
For example,
October 22 1944,
Joined Ocean Escort for Russian Convoy JW61 with HM Cruiser DIDO, HM Escort Aircraft
NAIRANA, TRACKER, VINDEX and destroyers of the 17th Flotilla.
(Note : In addition two Escort Groups of Frigates were deployed to strengthen the anti-submarine
defence against the expected heavy U-Boat attacks).
28th Detached on arrival at Kola Inlet after safe passage without loss.



I'd say yes, apply for it.
My father now aged 87 years served on Hms VINDEX on the Russian convoys,does anyone have an memories of VINDEX

 

Don't know if anyone posted this one yet.

Stunning photos reveal the brutal conditions faced by sailors protecting WW2 Arctic Convoys | Daily Mail Online

 

Fascinating, thanks for posting.

I managed to obtain my father's Arctic Star after some extensive research. He was Second Officer on ss Harmatris, convoy commodore's ship in Arctic Convoy PQ8, when she was damaged by torpedo attack on 17 January 1942 off the Kola Inlet. It was nine months before Harmatris was repaired and returned to the UK with Convoy QP14 in October 1942. I understand that establishing entitlement to the Arctic Star is a little less difficult for RN veterans than for MN crew members.

 

Mods, please delete this duplicate - cheers

 

I understand that establishing entitlement to the Arctic Star is a little less difficult for RN veterans than for MN crew members

In some cases yes, others no. It all depends what had been recorded on service records. Some RN personnel for example those who served on DEMS and CONSIGS [convoy commodore staff] their relatives can not prove their service due to the RN use of accounting bases on records.
Regards
Hugh

 

He would probably also be eligible for the Admiral Ushakov(?) medal awarded by the The Russian Federation. Not sure iof the Russians award this posthumously.

 

I looked into that for may late father who spent eight months in Murmansk but it is apparently only awarded to living veterans of the Arctic war.