Heywood war veteran Joseph Williams to receive Russian medal

Joseph Williams, a Second World War veteran from Heywood, is to be honoured for his part in transporting vital supplies to Russia during the war.

Russian Ambassador Alexander Yakovenko has invited Mr Williams to a presentation ceremony at Manchester Town Hall next week where he will be presented with the Ushakov Medal.

Mr Williams, of Glendale Close, Heywood, was a gunner on HMS Sheffield during two Arctic convoys.

The Arctic convoys consisted of vessels which travelled from the UK to Russia to re-supply the Soviet Union during World War Two and had been described by Winston Churchill as “the worst journey in the world”.

During the campaign, which was spread into two series between 1941 and 1945, more than 3,000 men died.

Russia was previously prevented from honouring the veterans by the Foreign Office because it went against rules of foreign medals.

After numerous calls for recognition from veterans, the British Government created the Arctic Star in 2012. It was then announced in 2013 by Foreign Secretary William Hague that British nationals would be eligible for the Ushakov medal.