Arctic Star medal presented to Dunbar war veteran
Prime Minister David Cameron presents Jock Dempster with his Arctic Star medal.
Second World War veteran Jock Dempster from Dunbar received an Arctic Star medal at a ceremony in Downing Street this week after a wait of 70 years.
He joined other survivors of the Arctic Convoys for the presentation of the first 40 medals by Prime Minister David Cameron.
The 84-year-old, who joined up as a 16-year-old, was at the forefront of a campaign for medals for those who braved freezing conditions and German U-boat danger to transport vital supplies to the Soviet Union.
After the war their sacrifice was ignored as they were deemed to have helped the Soviet Union which was the new enemy during the Cold War.
Mr Cameron welcomed the recipients, saying: “There are lots of extraordinary people I’ve met in this room in the last three years, and lots of events I’ve been very proud to hold.
“And I’m only sorry that it’s taken 70 years to get you here and to say thank you for what you did. Because you were involved in the most important struggle of the last 100 years when you were supplying one of our allies in that battle to defeat Hitler and to defeat Fascism in Europe. And you showed incredible bravery; incredible courage; against extraordinary odds.
He added: “I want to give special recognition to all those who fought such a dignified battle and dignified campaign for this medal and for this recognition. And I think special recognition is deserved for Cdr Eddie Grenfell, Lt Cdr Dick Dykes and, of course, merchant navy veteran Jock Dempster for the extraordinary campaign that you have run.”
Photo by Sergeant Tom Robinson RLC
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