Ulster WW2 veterans praised for Arctic Convoy role

Veterans of the World War Two Arctic Convoys have been honoured at a Belfast book launch.

The Arctic convoy missions were some of the most gruelling expeditions during the Second World War and involved thousands of allies shipping essential supplies to Russian soldiers fighting against Hitler’s troops at Murmansk and Archangelsk.

A new book titled ‘Nearness of Ice - Arctic Convoys’ was collated over two years by writer Kate Newmann who spoke to veterans from Northern Ireland, some of whom attended the launch with their families.

In 2014, sixteen veterans from Northern Ireland were honoured for their role in the missions with the Ushakov Medal, presented by the Russian Ambassador to the UK, Dr Alexander Yakovenko, who also attended the book launch.

Speaking of her time collating the content for the book, Kate Newmann said: “I feel privileged to have met such fine, dignified, intelligent men. I was so impressed by their remarkable stories that I felt the world deserved to know more about them.

“During my time with the veterans and their families, I learned more than I ever knew I hadn’t known and they are truly amazing men.”

The publication was funded by the Pushkin Trust and The Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

The Duchess of Abercorn, Honorary Consul to the Russian Federation in Northern Ireland and founder of the Pushkin Trust said, “I felt that their story should be shared and immortalised in a book and I am particularly delighted that the noted poet and writer Kate Newmann has compiled their stories that will now live on forever.

“I believe their stories exemplify the power of human solidarity to overcome the axis of evil and how against all odds what is true triumphs in the end.”