Veteran was denied gong.. because his ship was one degree too far south
A HERO of the Arctic convoys in World War II who missed out on a medal because he was one degree too far south is finally to get his gong.
Edwin Leadbetter, 92, was outraged he did not get the Arctic Star and the prestigious Ushakov medal for his services to Russia in the dangerous voyages as the MoD decided his ship was not eligible.
His daughter Liz McKenna said: “He applied years ago but the MoD said his ship was one degree of latitude out and so he didn’t qualify for the medals.
“It’s rubbish, as the ship was heavily involved in the Arctic convoys.”
Edwin’s shipmates have already received medals despite being on the same ship during voyages dubbed “the most dangerous journey in the world” by Winston Churchill.
But after Edwin’s family hit out at the snub, defence chiefs are now set for a U-turn – and he will finally receive the Arctic Star, the Arctic emblem and his veteran’s badge.
He has also been called to the Russian Consulate in Edinburgh next month where he could receive the Ushakov medal.
The news comes after Edwin’s shipmate George Barker, who also served on the anti-submarine escort carrier HMS Fencer, got the Ushakov medal three years ago. George died a week after receiving his medal.
Great-grandad Edwin, from Glasgow, said: “It has been a long wait.”
Edwin served in the Navy from October 1943 until February 1947.
He served on HMS Fencer from March to October 1944, providing cover for convoys and for attacks on German battleship Tirpitz. More than 3000 seamen died during the Arctic missions to keep supply lines open to Soviet ports as they fought Hitler’s armies.
After Germany invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin demanded help from Britain and its allies.
The most direct route was by sea around north Norway to the ports of Murmansk and Archangel.
The route passed through a narrow funnel between the Arctic ice pack and German bases in Norway and was very dangerous.
Many of the convoys were attacked by German submarines, aircraft and warships.
Conditions were among the worst suffered by any Allied sailors. As well as the Germans, they faced extreme cold, gales and pack ice. The loss rate for ships was higher than any other Allied convoy route.