Minister meets Scots veterans denied medal for their wartime bravery

War medals: Veterans of Operation Dervish have not been honoured for their actions.

Veterans Minister Keith Brown is demanding that sailors who took part in Arctic convoys during the Second World War be officially recognised.

The Scottish Government minister will meet some of the surviving Scots sailors who risked their lives delivering vital supplies to Russia.

He will call for them to be awarded a dedicated campaign medal in honour of their efforts.

More than 3000 seamen died in Operation Dervish which delivered supplies to the Soviet ports of Murmansk and Archangel during the war.

As well as meeting veterans, Mr Brown will also meet representatives from the Russian Consulate on Tuesday afternoon.

It comes after he declared it was a "scandal" that the sailors involved did not receive a medal. The UK Government has not recognised the survivors of the convoys with a dedicated campaign medal.

Speaking at the weekend Mr Brown said: "Serving aboard the Arctic convoys must have demanded huge courage and dedication. These men faced the dangers of u-boats and air attack in some of the worst weather conditions on the planet.

"Yet, through unwavering service to their country, these heroes ensured absolutely crucial supplies reached Russia. Without their efforts, Russia could easily have become cut off and the whole outcome of the war could have been different. It is a scandal that these men have not been recognised with a campaign medal."

The Veterans Minister said official recognition was "the least these heroes and their families deserve".

He added: "I have written to the UK Government on this issue in the past. Now is the time for them to listen and act."

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