Arctic Convoy veterans to gather for tribute at Loch Ewe

Loch Ewe was the port in Wester Ross where the legendary Arctic Convoys of World War II gathered to sail to carry vital supplies to the Russian ports of Archangel, Murmansk and the Kola Inlet between 1942 and 1944. Thousands of men died on these convoys. They were exposed to steady far-sub-zero temperatures. They were a key and constant target for attack from German U-boats and planes.

Veterans of the convoys have run a long campaign for recognition of their service resulting in some of them receiving the Arctic Emblem in 2006. This award was created to mark their contribution to the war.

Now, although veterans make an annual visit to a memorial at Loch Ewe, a special tribute celebration is being held on 9th October at Pool House, now a hotel but then the command centre for the ships of the convoys. The Royal Navy and representatives from Russia and Norway have been invited to attend. Commander Charles Stevenson, naval regional officer for Scotland and Northern Ireland, will represent the Royal Navy at the event. The Pool House tribute will coincide with the naval exercise, Joint Warrior, held off the north-western Scottish coast.

Argyll, with all areas of Scotland, saw many of its sons lost in these convoys. Some of the few remaining veterans will make the journey north to Pool House on 9th October and others will want to know that this tribute is to be paid.

Photo of Loch Ewe above – in better weather than the Arctic Convoys saw – is in the pubic domain.