Recognition for Veterans

5.19.22pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 5th Jan 2007

After a long struggle for recognition a local resident, Charles Carter, has been honoured by the award of an Arctic Star for his service on the wartime convoys which shipped vital equipment from the UK to the Soviet Union. The death rate on the convoys was exceptionally high - around 50% - and few survived the Arctic waters, if sunk. Yet, for a long time, the British government refused to grant a special medal for those involved although veterans have been honoured by the Russian authorities.

Now, after a long campaign by MPs, including Vincent Cable, and veteran's groups the government has given way and Charles Carter has at last received his medal. Vincent Cable said: "his story is absolutely remarkable. People like him showed extraordinary courage in appalling conditions. Yet Ministry of Defence bureaucracy, and perhaps a reluctance to be reminded of our close alliance with the former Soviet Union, meant that there was a mean minded reluctance to recognise the veterans in the right way. Now justice has been done".

Vincent Cable is also seeking to help other veterans achieve recognition: "all those who served in the forces before 1970 including Merchant Navy seaman, the Home Guard, Suez campaign veterans and also war widows are entitled to wear a veteran's badge. I have the application forms if local residents feel they might qualify. They should ring my office on 020 8892 0215".