FRIENDS and family of Norman John Benallack, a former Royal Marine, gathered at the West Devon Club last week to watch his widow be presented with a medal for his bravery in the Arctic during the World War Two.

Edna Benallack, 82, was awarded the Arctic Star at the West Devon Club in Tavistock last Saturday by Len Chester, 88, a World War Two veteran who has also received the prestigious medal.

The medal is awarded for service in the Arctic where allied naval operations continued between 1939 and 1945, supporting convoys to Russia.

People gathered at the club to commemorate Norman's career.

He was born in 1927 and in 1942 at the age of 15 enlisted with the Royal Marines as a boy bugler. He remained with the marines until 1957, serving at sea and ashore during and after the World War Two.

Mrs Benallack approached SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors and Airmens' Families' Association) for help in receiving the Arctic Star for her husband and Commander Alan Johnson RN Rtd SSAFA took on the task, and consulted with The Royal Marines Association.