THE ARCTIC CONVOY
Arctic Convoy Commemoration
On October 31st, Liverpool played host
to the national 75th Commemoration
of the Arctic Convoys.
The Arctic Convoys took place between 1941
and 1945 providing much needed relief for the
Russian people. The convoys consisted of around
30 merchant ships loaded with food, machinery,
arms and clothing with a Royal Navy protection
of up to ten vessels providing cover from enemy
air and sea attack. Churchill described it as the
“worst journey”.
The Lord Mayor of Liverpool attended the
Commemoration event and said: “Sadly, my
father, William Mawdsley who took part in the
Arctic Convoys during WW2, passed away before
being awarded the Arctic Star, the only medal
given to veterans by the British Government.
My father told us little about his naval service
but was very proud of the medal the Russian
Government had sent him in honour of his service.
However, I had been trying unsuccessfully since
2012 to trace his service and claim his Arctic
Star posthumously. I was deeply honoured and
surprised to be awarded my Dad’s Arctic Star by
the First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Philip Jones during
the event at Liverpool Town Hall. It was a deeply
emotional moment for me and my sister Margaret
and I know my Dad would be celebrating with the
other veterans.”
96 wirrallife.com