Lindsay Turpin meets war veteran Len Chester who relates his wartime experiences

A WORLD War Two veteran from West Devon has finally been honoured for his efforts in the Arctic Convoys to Russia.

Len Chester, 88, has been awarded the Arctic Star Medal for the maritime missions where he and his fellow British servicemen, battled, bombers, U-boats and horrific weather conditions to ferry vital war supplies to Russia, which had been invaded by Nazi Germany in 1941.

It has taken 70 years by campaigners for the efforts of the convoy veterans and those who lost their lives to be honoured by the British Government.

Len, from Milton Abbot, said it was a 'privilege' to receive this medal.

'It's nice to know that people recognise that there was a campaign, and it's nice for me to receive this medal and recommendation — not just for me but for those who died on the campaign.'

The expedition began in 1941 and by May 1945 the icy voyages had claimed 104 merchant and 16 military vessels.

Len, who filled in his 'sign up' papers in May 3, 1939, four months before World War Two broke out, started on the convoys in September 1942.

'I did six convoys to Russia in six months around Christmas time,' said Len.

'Ten days going up and ten days coming back — and you only went as fast as the slowest ship.

'The guns would get so frozen up that if you did meet anyone you couldn't have used anything anyway. It got so bad at one point that we had to chip away at the ice on the ship or it would have been top heavy.

'Over 3,000 merchant seaman died on the Arctic Convoys. If you fell in the water, it was so cold they only had three seconds before they died — all these men died but had no commendation after the war.

'There was a medal for the Atlantic, Africa, Italy, Burma and Malaya, but never an Arctic Medal for the Arctic Convoy so that's why they pressed for 70 years. It was the Russian Government who pressed our government for recognition.

'It's nice to know that people finally recognise that there was a campaign!'

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence said: 'All those who served in the Arctic Convoys deserve the utmost respect and admiration.

'Since details were announced on February 26 (2013) we have received a huge number of applications from both living veterans and families for the awards with more than 28,000 applications received to date.

'We have now awarded all living veterans with their Arctic Star and a dedicated project team is working to process applications from widows and families as a matter of urgency to ensure they receive the award as quickly as possible.'

Len began his military journey at the young age of 14 as a bugle boy — a drummer signalling instructions and commands on his instrument.

Then, when he was 18-years-old, he transferred to the ranks and did his training as a Royal Marine.

He stayed as a ship's marine until 1955 after which he worked for BP Chemicals.

The experiences he had through his time in the services always fascinated his wife — who had asked him to one day compile his stories for their grandchildren to read.

So as a way for his family to read what he had been through, he compiled all his stories together and created a book called 'Bugle Boy' — which was read and reviewed by the Duke of Edinburgh.

The book is an assortment of reminiscences and interesting trivia rather than a dramatic autobiography, and provides an entertaining read.

Len said: 'I never meant to write a book. The book is not a day to day description but a few anecdotes that made my wife laugh and she told me to write it down for the grandchildren.

'It was my daughter Lynne who wrote pieces on her blog of my stories and Susan Hill (author of the Woman in Black) saw it and asked for more to be written so I compiled all my stories together.

'The Duke of Edinburgh likes it but not sure if he showed it to his wife!'

The Service Personnel and Veterans Agency is processing the applications for an Artic Star Medal from veterans and widows as a priority and in the order they are received.

Applications can be made by calling 0800 169 2277.