Moscow man in from cold
A MAN who worked in the British Embassy in Moscow during the Cold War has spoken of his interesting and varied career on his retirement.
Russell Hartley, 67, of Mereside Close, Macclesfield, spent more than 35 years working in the military, mostly with the Royal Navy and later with the Ministry of Defence.
His role as finance and HR officer took him all over the world on HMS Norfolk, Brighton, Phoebe and President.
He also served overseas in Malta, Hong Kong and British Embassies in Moscow, Warsaw and Helsinki.
But is was his time in Moscow that Russell claims was the most ‘interesting’ as political and military tension between the East and West was at its height.
He said: “Working in Moscow at that time was very interesting and probably the most memorable part of my career.”
But it wasn’t all work. Russell found time to explore his love of remote area motoring in a four wheel drive vehicle, even managing to drive from Moscow to the UK and back again. After 25 years in the Royal Navy, rising up the ranks to chief petty officer, Russell joined Daniel Ashworth & Booth Solicitors in Macclesfield as practice secretary.
Then in 2002 he got a job as a personal advisor for the Department of Works & Pensions in Macclesfield and later as the Disability Employment Adviser for the area before moving back to the military, working for the Ministry of Defence’s Business Services Unit at Cheadle Hulme.
In 2011 he moved to the British Embassy in Amman, Jordan, where he remained for five years before working for the Home Office as a Use of Force Risk Analyst at Manchester Airport.
Russell, who is married to Margaret and has one daughter and two grandchildren, is now adjusting to retirement.
He said: “I had a long a varied career and don’t regret a thing.
“I’m now looking forward to spending more time with my family, and following my other passions Manchester United, and military and family history.”