Russia says thankyou to WWII Arctic convoy heroes

A pensioner has been presented with a medal by the Russians 70 years after taking part in the Arctic convoys which kept their country supplied during the Second World War.

Ken Robinson saw many ships in the convoys destroyed, but his only injury was a sore head from getting out of a lifeboat.

Winston Churchill described the Arctic convoys as the 'worst journey in the world' And this man made that journey...and survived.

Ken, from Nailsworth, was a radio officer on board some of the ships which kept Russia supplied during the Second World War.

Now, what he and his crewmates did has been officially recognised by the Russian government - and Ken has been presented with a service medal and Russian passport.

But what does he think of it all?

Some 85 Merchant Vessels and 3,000 lives were lost during the four year campaign.

Ken's ship was torpedoed but he survived, though with a sore head.

Ken says he is proud to have received honours from both the government and now from Russia for being part of the Arctic convoys - medals which some might say were late coming, but welcomed nonetheless.