A WAR veteran, who risked his life to deliver supplies to Soviet Russia during the Second World War, has finally been recognised by the country.

Roy Dykes joined around 50 other veterans who served on the Arctic Convoy Missions in the Royal Navy from 1941 to 1945, to receive the Ushakov medal in London.

Mr Dykes, 94, of Lynch Hill Park, Whitchurch, was involved in a long-running campaign for the veterans to be honoured with an Arctic Star medal for their bravery, which was finally presented in March last year by Prime Minister David Cameron.

But Mr Dykes has continued his battle for the veterans to also be awarded a medal from the Russian government, in recognition for their efforts delivering supplies to the Soviet forces in the northern cities of Murmansk and Archangel.

Russia wanted to present the medals to the British veterans, but was stopped from doing so by the British government.

Mr Dykes said: “When we got the Arctic Star, which was presented to us on March 19 last year at 10 Downing Street, soon after that we knew at the time that the Russians had presented the medal to veterans living in New Zealand, Australia, Canada and America.

“The Foreign and Commonwealth Office told me that the veterans must show that they have done something of value for Russia in the last five years.

“I wrote to Mr Cameron and said ‘You remember presenting at Number 10 for the Arctic Star. You remember some 50 veterans there, one or two in wheelchairs, some with walking sticks, others bending over and a large number assisted by relatives. How on earth can these veterans be of any value to Russia in the present day?’ “The next thing I heard was that it had been agreed that we should have the medal.”

The grandfather-of-four added: “It’s right that we received it. This government has been slovenly in every respect. It took 17 years for the Arctic Star, and a further two years for the Russian medal.”

The Ushakov medal was created on March 3, 1944, named in honour of Russian admiral Fyodor Ushakov who never lost a battle and was proclaimed patron saint on the Russian Navy.

Mr Dykes went to receive the Ushakov medal at a reception at the Russian Embassy in London, where it was presented by Russian ambassador Alexander Vladimirovich Yakovenko.

He said: “What you did 70 years ago, taking part in what Sir Winston Churchill rightly called the worst journey in the world, was extraordinary, even among what is considered to be beyond the call of duty.”

Mr Dykes, who is a great-grandfather, described the reception as “excellent” and is relieved that his campaign for recognition for the Arctic Convoy veterans is finally over.