A Birkby war veteran has received a Russian honour – 72 years on.
It is the second time in two years that Arthur Firth, 95, has been given a long overdue medal for his “invaluable” work to safeguard vital supplies to Russia in the Arctic ocean while in the Royal Navy during World War Two.
Arthur, who served on the HMS Watchman in Scapa Flow, received the commemorative medal of the ‘70th anniversary of the victory in the great patriotic war from 1941 to 1945’ in the post, two years after it was granted to him by decree of the president of the Russian Federation on December 21 2013.
Arthur joined the Royal Navy in August 1939 as an Able Seaman, joining HMS Defiance for his training in mine disposal and as a torpedo man.
He served on the destroyers, HMS Watchman and Meteor which protected the convoys on the Arctic run, returning to Defiance for further training.
During his time there he faced brutal conditions, which at one point saw him and a sea mate stranded on a buoy in the sea for 36 hours.
His daughter, Melody Hirst, said: “After two years of trying to get this medal it finally arrived and dad was thrilled.
“Dad’s now 95 and although it was stated that this medal would not be presented posthumously I thought time was beginning to run out.”
The parcel also included a card and a letter, which outlined the importance of the contribution he made.
Two years ago, he received the Arctic Star medal from the British Armed Forces and the Merchant Navy, which he left in 1946.
Now he has received a moving letter, written by the ambassador of the Russian Federation Yakovenko Alexander Vladimirovich, which reads: “It is a huge privilege for me to thank you on behalf of the Russian Government for the invaluable contribution you and your comrades in arms made to the defeat of Nazi Germany.
“What you did 70 years ago, taking part in what Winston Churchill called the worst journey in the world, was extraordinary even among what is considered to be beyond the call of duty.
“Thousand of Allied seaman lost their lives as the British ships sailed in the unwelcoming, stormy waters of the Arctic ocean under a constant threat of being attacked by German U-boats and aircraft.
Your heroism will always be remembered in Russia and Britain.
“Your deeds will continue to serve as the supreme expression of bravery and a high point in human spirit.”
