WW2 veteran presented with Arctic Star medal

John Wilson's Arctic Star medal

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John Wilson was given the Arctic Star medal at a special assembly held at St Edward's Primary School, Castleton on Wednesday 17 July.

Mr Wilson was born in Clitheroe but moved to Heywood in 1963 so has always had connection to this area.

He is currently one of only 200 surviving veterans that were part of the Arctic convoys during World War Two. The convoys travelled from the UK to North Russian ports of Murmansk and Archangel and the aim was to aid Russian allies.

Merchant ships with supplies and ammunition were escorted by British Royal Naval ships and aircraft carriers. These supplies were vital to the war effort as German forces had Russia completely blockaded.

Bishop Mark Davies, who started the assembly, told the children: “We take a lot for granted; we should thank Mr Wilson and everyone else who fought for our freedom.”

Mr Wilson spent the second part of the assembly talking to year three and four children who had been involved in World War Two projects.

During this discussion he went in to some detail about the events of the arctic convoys: “I first joined the Navy at 18 and was 19 when the convoys first set off.

“At one point, I don’t think we ate anything for five days. We never felt safe either; I don’t think I had a full night’s sleep for three and a half years.”

One child asked him about the most memorable part of the war. Mr Wilson responded by saying: “The most memorable part of the war was getting into Portsmouth after VE day; it was just a pity that they told us we had to go to Japan.

“However, half way through this journey we received notice about the atomic bomb in Hiroshima. We quickly turned around and knew that was the end of the war.”

The presenting of the medal was the first of its kind to be held outside London.