Remembering the Russian Arctic Convoys
The final item of business today is a members’ business debate on motion S4M-00710, in the name of Rob Gibson, on remembering the Russian Arctic convoys. The debate will be concluded without any question being put.
Motion debated,
That the Parliament adds its voice to those of many lands who took part in the 70th anniversary service at Cove, Loch Ewe on 20 August 2011 in remembrance of, and gratitude to, the merchant seamen, sailors and airmen who took part in Operation Dervish which assembled and delivered 41 convoys of essential materials and armaments to Archangel and Murmansk, the ice free ports of northern Russia from 1941 to 1944; notes that the merchant ships were assembled at Loch Ewe in Wester Ross and were protected on their voyages by the Royal Navy based at Scapa Flow, Orkney; recalls that 3,000 shipmates perished on the hazardous Arctic convoys through violent storms and freezing weather conditions, whilst under the constant threat of enemy attack, in order to keep open this vital wartime supply route that made possible the Russian resistance to Nazi invasion which it considers, in no small measure, contributed to the Allied victory over fascism; welcomes the fundraising appeal for a new Russian arctic convoy museum to be built at Aultbea, Wester Ross which will create an archive and display of artefacts as a lasting legacy to these brave men, and would welcome support for this worthy initiative.
17:05
On 20 August this year, 300 people—veterans; families; supporters; Prince Michael of Kent; various diplomats, such as Sergey Krutikov, the consul general in Scotland for the Russian Federation, and a Norwegian diplomat; military attachés from Canada and the USA; local dignitaries; sea scouts; sea cadets; local air cadets, who ably marshalled the traffic on narrow roads; the Merchant Navy Association; and local Royal British Legion branches—joined a dozen veterans of the Russian Arctic convoys to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the first of the convoys, which was codenamed Dervish and which left Loch Ewe 70 years before. That was before it encountered the rigours of the Arctic supply route to Archangel and Murmansk, the ice-free ports of our Soviet allies. I am delighted that some of the veterans are with us in the public gallery, along with Sergey Krutikov. [Applause.]
The Arctic convoys of world war two carried vital supplies to the northern Russian ports of Murmansk and Archangel from September 1941 until December 1944. From September 1942, the convoys of merchant ships accompanied by Royal Naval protection vessels were based at Loch Ewe.
The route that the convoys took was particularly hazardous, not only due to the horrendous weather and the dangers of drifting icebergs but because of the close proximity of German forces, who had occupied Norway. Winston Churchill called it
“the worst journey in the world”.
An annual remembrance ceremony is conducted at Loch Ewe. Last month, we stood by the Russian Convoy Club memorial, which was erected in 1999 at Cove on the southern shore, at the rocky mouth of the loch. Rain and wind, although thankfully not cold, set the scene. Decaying gun emplacements and pillboxes still litter the scene and remind us of the war days.
Recognition of the campaign, and of the few survivors still alive, has been sought for years. One campaigner, Commander Eddie Grenfell, who is originally from Peterhead, said:
“The campaign was also in a different geographical sphere with separate aims to the Battle of the Atlantic. I sailed in both campaigns and while the Battle of the Atlantic was tough, the Arctic campaign was unimaginably worse.”
Prior to winning power back in 1997, the Labour Party said that it would create an Arctic Star, only to refuse to allow any recognition and then eventually to grudgingly produce an Arctic Emblem in 2006, after a long campaign by veterans. However, when in opposition both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats also promised to create an Arctic Star. Defence minister Gerald Howarth has recently said that the idea would be included in a review of how medals are sanctioned. An early day motion by the Scottish National Party’s Westminster leader and defence spokesman, Angus Robertson, has been signed by 47 MPs from almost every political party in the House of Commons.
What better moment is there than now, the 70th anniversary of the convoys, to see such recognition brought about? As usual, the Ministry of Defence is dragging its feet, so, as others have said, the Prime Minister should personally intervene, knock heads together and announce the creation of a campaign medal without any further delay. A spokeswoman for the MOD said that the veterans would have to wait until later this year for the medal review to be completed.
Jock Dempster, chair of the Russian Convoy Club in Scotland, is also in the public gallery. He said:
“The problem is that the MoD have always dragged their feet”
because, he thinks, of suspicion between the United Kingdom and Russia. He continued:
“But actually the Arctic convoys should be used as a bridge to build friendship between us and Russia.”
In fact, the Russians have given Arctic veterans three memorial medals and regularly invite them as guests of honour to second world war commemorations and receptions, where they are fêted by the country’s leading politicians. Last year, the consul general of the Russian Federation in Edinburgh, Sergey Krutikov, honoured the veterans at a ceremony that I attended in Edinburgh. Jock Dempster said:
“The long-standing bond of friendship which existed between the Russian people and the veterans during the war has become even stronger since ... The Russians have never forgotten the ultimate sacrifice made by the 2,800 seamen who never returned to our shores.”
Two of my constituents, Sandy Manson from John o’Groats and Reay Clarke from Edderton, were present at Loch Ewe last month. Their stories, among many others, tell of the hardships and difficulties that people faced. Thirty merchant ships were escorted out of Loch Ewe, and Reay Clarke’s ship, the Farndale—he was an ordinary seaman—had to disengage from the convoy and head back to Scapa Flow, escorting a ship that had been damaged and could not make it as far as Murmansk. The Germans managed to sink 10 merchant ships out of the total of 40 that had gathered, and those crews were mostly lost.
The planned Russian Arctic convoy museum, which is to be set up at Aultbea, underlines the importance of highlighting the legacy of the world war two Russian Arctic convoys. Central to the project is the memory of all those brave men who sailed on the convoys and the many—perhaps more than 3,000—who lost their lives. The local communities in the north-west Highlands want to ensure that those men are remembered. They want people to contact the museum team to help with the project. I hope that Highland Council, the Scottish Government and the United Kingdom Government can help to create that lasting memorial to those people who gave so much for their country.
I lodged a motion of support for a permanent museum because I believe that that is the best way for us to recognise the Russian Arctic convoys, along with the veterans’ receipt of medals in recognition of the awfulness and importance of the convoys. On 20 August, the convoys had the support of the international diplomatic corps and royal recognition. That gives a strong measure of justice to the memory of those brave seamen who ensured that our Russian allies could first resist and then open the second front to destroy the Nazi threat.
17:13
I congratulate Rob Gibson on securing the debate and I, too, pay tribute to and welcome the veterans from the Arctic convoys who are in the public gallery this evening. This is an excellent and appropriate issue for members’ business.
It is, in many ways, fitting that we discuss the motion this week, when the Prime Minister, David Cameron, has been holding talks in Russia with his counterpart for the first time since 2005. It is thought that more than £200 million of deals have been secured on the visit, creating more than 500 jobs for the UK. That continues the strong relationship between the two countries that was surely cemented back in September 1941, when the now legendary Arctic convoys of world war two began to carry vital supplies to Russia through the ports of Archangel and Murmansk. I commend Rob Gibson for setting up the cross-party group on Russia, of which I am the deputy convener.
Three different areas in the Highlands played a part in the success of the missions. I will say more about Loch Ewe later. The merchant ships that delivered the essential materials and armaments during 41 convoys were protected by the Royal Navy, which was based at Scapa Flow, in Orkney, and those escorts were trained at Tobermory, in Mull, by Vice Admiral Gilbert Stephenson. There is no doubt that the protection was required. The Germans often had the advantage of being able to fly from nearby Norway, which was German occupied. As one American account of the voyages remarked:
“Sea power was confronting land based air power under the most trying conditions imaginable.”
As Rob Gibson was right to highlight, Winston Churchill described the convoys as the most dangerous of the war.
The convoys faced severe adverse weather; they navigated through icefields; their magnetic compasses became unreliable; and they faced the hazard of floating mines. All that had to be considered before the threat from German planes and boats whose sole aim was to prevent the vital resources from reaching Russia was thought about.
It is not surprising that the human costs were high. A total of 104 merchant ships, 20 Royal Navy ships, a submarine and two armed whalers were lost, but the human lives that were cut short are what we remember today. Nearly 3,000 seamen made the ultimate sacrifice—they lost their lives in the pursuit of beating fascism and bringing hope to the people of Russia.
The Russian war historian and writer Oleg Rzheshevsky noted:
“The moral aspect of the Arctic Convoys meant a lot. This was an extremely important factor both for the army and for all our people as it signalled that we were not alone in that war but had strong allies”
in
“Britain and the United States. This helped boost our troop morale on the battlefield and supported our people on the home front.”
We move to the present day and the bold efforts to raise £500,000 to create the Russian Arctic convoy museum in Wester Ross as a permanent reminder of the heroic efforts of many brave men and in recognition of the area around Loch Ewe that made much of the activity possible. When Loch Ewe was chosen as an assembly point and commissioned as HMS Helicon in June 1941, that picturesque area of Wester Ross began a long history. That history will be secured for future generations when the plans for the museum become a reality. It is only right that we do what we can to support the plans and to ensure that first-hand accounts of crossings are not lost through time and that the efforts are never forgotten.
Rob Gibson’s motion is right to support the worthy initiative to establish a museum, but I agree that keeping pressure on the United Kingdom Government to recognise the remaining seamen who undertook these most dangerous missions is equally important. In response to a question at Westminster about plans to honour the veterans, David Cameron said:
“it would be good if we could do something more to recognise what they have done.”—[Official Report, House of Commons, 12 January 2011; Vol 521, c 284.]
I will certainly write to the Prime Minister following the debate.
There is no doubt that, whether it be by the people who are establishing a museum, by the Parliament discussing the plight of those involved, or by the Prime Minister considering whether to create a special medal for veterans of the Arctic convoys, the veterans’ efforts and sacrifices are still recognised, 70 years after they undertook their most dangerous of voyages.
17:18
I am pleased to be called to speak in the debate. I, too, congratulate my colleague Rob Gibson on securing this important debate on the world war two Russian Arctic convoys and the on-going project, which has been mentioned, to establish a museum at Aultbea to highlight the legacy of the brave men who sailed in the convoys.
I am pleased to welcome some of the veterans to our public gallery. I hope that they will conclude as they listen to the debate that we have properly reflected the enormous contribution that those who sailed the Arctic convoy ships made and that they will feel that we understand the enormous debt that we and our country owe them.
We have heard that the conditions were absolutely atrocious for the merchant seamen, sailors and airmen who took part in the convoys to supply Russia with essential materials for its war effort, so that it could defeat the Nazis. As my colleague Rob Gibson said, the Russians were grateful for that and are grateful to this day.
Few, if any, of us in the chamber could possibly imagine what those conditions were really like. We owe the people who were involved a great debt. We have heard of the thousands of lives that were lost as a result of the conditions and the constant attacks from the German army. It is fitting that a museum should be established to ensure that there is a testament to those brave men; to ensure that, as Mary Scanlon rightly said, the memories are not lost and are properly recorded for the benefit of future generations; and to ensure that the appropriate archive material is saved for the nation.
I know that the local community around Loch Ewe is promoting a museum. It is laudable that there is community-driven grass-roots determination to establish a museum. That is entirely appropriate, and I wish the local activists great success in securing widespread support for the project and, of course, the necessary funding. We are talking about our history, and we should ensure that everybody is aware of it.
It is, of course, important to ensure that the appropriate medals are housed in the new museum. It would normally be expected that such medals would have been awarded to the brave men who made a vital difference to the war effort at the risk of their lives. That difference cost thousands of lives. However, it has been noted that Westminster has still failed to act, which is greatly regrettable.
I recall that I raised the issue on a number of occasions with UK Government ministers in my years as a Westminster MP. The ministers then were of a Labour hue, and they failed to act. We now have UK Government ministers of a Tory hue, who have also failed to act. As Rob Gibson mentioned, the Labour Government belatedly introduced, after a concerted campaign, what it called the Arctic emblem badge. That was not what the campaigners fought so hard for, and it was somewhat insulting to the veterans.
Expectations were raised when David Cameron took office, as he had said on the record that he supported the awarding of medals to the Arctic convoy veterans, but we are still waiting. It is true that, during Prime Minister’s question time in January this year, he indicated that he was minded to support the awarding of medals, but this is September and we are still seeing further delays. We do not have time to lose.
Bringing party politics into the debate is quite disrespectful. The member who lodged the motion was courteous and respectful of those in the gallery. Annabelle Ewing should reflect on her partisan approach.
I hear what the member says, but am a bit puzzled, as she introduced the fact that the Prime Minister said during Prime Minister’s question time that he was minded to support the awarding of medals. I must deal with the facts as they are, and, sadly, it is a fact that Westminster has delayed. Previously, the Labour Government did so; the Tory Government is now doing so. That is a fact. I hope that, with the continuing pressure from the veterans, MSPs and people elsewhere, we will secure from the UK Government the concession of the awarding of service medals to the veterans.
I fully support the establishment of a museum and hope that the minister will talk in his closing speech about the possibility of some support and assistance, not necessarily financial, but at least technical perhaps. Perhaps advice and guidance could be offered. I would be grateful if the minister confirmed that he will use his good offices to communicate the sentiments that have been expressed in the debate to the Prime Minister at number 10 and that he will make representations to urge the Prime Minister to act now to award service medals without any further delay. I would be grateful if he urged the Prime Minister to do the right and decent thing, and award service medals to the brave men who sailed on the Russian Arctic convoys.
17:24
I join others in welcoming the veterans who are present this evening in the public gallery. I also congratulate Rob Gibson on securing not only the debate but what appeared to be, certainly at the outset, a rather generous selection of members from across the chamber, which is no mean achievement for a members’ business debate, as veterans of these debates will testify.
Rob Gibson’s motion echoes one that I lodged about two years ago to coincide with the unveiling at Lyness, in my constituency, of a memorial honouring the bravery of all those involved in the Arctic convoys and the sacrifices that were made, not least the ultimate sacrifice that was made by the 3,000 men who perished on those journeys. Rob Gibson was present at that unveiling and I am sure that he will agree that it was an emotional and evocative occasion. It took place on the site of the naval base at Lyness, overlooking Scapa Flow, where, as Mary Scanlon said, the home fleet, which provided the naval protection for those convoys, was based during the war. The memorial, which is a lasting record of that bravery, consists of two standing stones, shaped as the bow of a ship. It is a fitting and very Orcadian reflection of the bravery of those who were involved in the convoys.
Rob Gibson has talked about a couple of his constituents, and I think that the unveiling of the memorial was given an extra significance by the presence of two of the three surviving Orkney convoy veterans, Francis Cusiter and Derek Johnstone, who received medals that day. I agree with many of the comments that Mr Gibson made—which were perhaps more measured than other people’s comments—about the need of the United Kingdom Government to conclude its review and come to a quick and sensible decision, which would command support across the chamber.
For me, what made that day particularly memorable were the tales of what was endured by those in the convoy. As Annabelle Ewing said, much of what those men went through is unimaginable to us these days. As well as having to endure the horrendous weather, the shifting pack ice and the cold seas, they had to face threats not only from in front, behind and either side, but from above and below as well, because of the presence of aircraft and U-boats. It must have been a horrific experience—as many have said, the worst journey in the world.
Another point that has been made in this debate, which I would echo from an Orkney perspective, is the pride in the local community about the connection with the convoys and the strong ties that remain to this day. That is felt particularly strongly in Lyness and Hoy, and was very much reflected in the memorial ceremony two years ago.
I was also struck by quite how pivotal the convoys were to the eventual outcome of the war. Some who were present that day suggested that the journeys were almost unbearable but that veterans look back on the role that they played and take enormous pride, justifiably, in the fact that they not only opened up vital supply lines but tied up the German naval and air force during that period and ultimately helped to secure allied victory over fascism.
A number of Churchillian quotes have been heard this evening—even if there has not been much Churchillian rhetoric—and I will add another, as I remind the chamber that Churchill referred to those who were involved in the convoy as the “bravest souls afloat”. As someone who recognises his own nautical limitations, I have additional admiration for everything that they did on our behalf.
We will deal with the budget next week and all MSPs are aware of pressing and immediate concerns that fill our mailbags and e-mail inboxes, but I think that it is right that the Parliament should take this opportunity to highlight and restate our gratitude to those who demonstrated such bravery and made such sacrifices on behalf of this country in facing down fascism.
I congratulate Rob Gibson. I look forward to progress being made on the further lasting memorial at Aultbea in Wester Ross and on the issue of the proper decoration of these veterans. Finally, I welcome again the veterans who have turned out in the public gallery this evening.
17:29
I add my congratulations to Rob Gibson for securing the debate. I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak in it and I am even more delighted to see our guests sitting in the gallery. I apologise to the chamber if I do not get through this speech.
I have sitting atop my book cabinet at home a 3ft model of a ship. It is a replica of a Dido class cruiser of 5,770 tonnes that was wonderfully built by Scotts of Greenock and launched on 10 September 1943. The model was hewn out of a large block of wood and expresses every detail of the ship. It was carved by a sailor on that ship, the HMS Royalist, which was attached to the home fleet at Scapa Flow. That sailor was my father and it would be my privilege to give the model to the museum when it is open.
The ship left Scapa Flow with the home fleet for a carrier-borne air strike against the infamous German battleship the Tirpitz in the Kåfjord in November 1943. I am not sure whether this is a coincidence but, on the day that I was born, the ship was involved in operation Potluck against enemy shipping as it went past the coast of Norway on its way to Archangel and Murmansk.
There were 78 convoys between August 1941 and May 1945 involving 1,400 merchant ships delivering vital supplies to the Soviet Union under the lend-lease programme. Some 85 merchant vessels and 16 Royal Navy warships were lost. The Kreigsmarine lost four ships and 30 U-boats. It was appropriately called programme Dervish—a great name, because those involved were dervishes. The stories of my childhood reverberated with the PQs, the QPs, the JWs and the RAs and operation Torch.
My Dad told me that Alistair MacLean the novelist served on HMS Royalist and subsequently wrote “HMS Ulysses”. I did not believe it until I read the book, which I commend to everyone.
Like a well-honed relay team, outbound and homebound convoys ran simultaneously, accompanying the merchant ships to port. Some would accompany the outbound convoy to a crossover point and would then meet and conduct the homebound convoy back to base—and so they went on round and round occupied Norway to northern Russia, facing the danger of air strikes, submarine strikes, surface forces, severe weather, heavy fog, strong currents, drift ice, constant darkness and attack during constant daylight, which was worse. Despite all that, Leningrad under siege received food and munitions supplies so that the Russians could then be in a position to turn the German offensive. It really was a movie in reality.
I was lucky, because my Dad came home. Many others did not. We owe more than a star; we owe them big time.
17:33
I, like others, very much welcome Rob Gibson’s motion, in which he recognises the bravery, professionalism and selfless sacrifice and service of all those who participated in the various convoys to Archangel and Murmansk during the dark days of world war two. I also recognise the work of other members, such as Mary Scanlon, on the cross-party group on supporting veterans in Scotland. I know that you were previously involved in that group, too, Presiding Officer. I was about to become involved when other tasks were presented to me.
I am delighted to support the motion, which thoroughly deserves the endorsement of everybody in the chamber. The bravery, gallantry and achievements of all those merchant seamen and members of the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force must not be ignored or forgotten and must certainly not be just lost to history.
Some members might have seen the recent programme, which I think was on the BBC, about the Arctic convoys. It was evident from watching that programme how young and inexperienced some of the people were who were asked to do things way beyond their years. It also gave a very good representation of how cold it was, which is probably hard to imagine. When I saw some of the conditions that those people had to endure, I thought that it was remarkable what some of those very young seamen endured. To fail to acknowledge their sacrifice and selflessness in securing the freedoms that we now take for granted would be to do them an enormous disservice.
It is right and fitting that we remember and mark the incredible bravery of those who served on the Arctic convoys. Many of those who took part in them were ordinary young men drawn from throughout the British empire and beyond, but they undertook an extraordinary task. They sailed through a deadly gauntlet of Arctic weather, ice, German U-boats and planes on what—to add another Churchillian reference—Churchill called the “suicide run” to carry essential supplies to the Russian people in the ports of Murmansk and Archangel. Their dedication, bravery and professionalism ensured that much-needed provisions were available to the Soviet Union and were a crucial component in supporting the red army in its ultimately successful fight against German forces on the eastern front.
We heard a moving speech from Chic Brodie. I confirm to him that I have read “HMS Ulysses”, which is a combination of heroism and tragedy, although it is more than 30 years since I read it. The novel would give members some idea of what conditions may have been like for those who served.
The Arctic convoys had the highest sinking ratio of any of the second world war convoys: 85 merchant ships and 16 Royal Navy ships were lost between August 1941 and May 1945. Around 20,000 Royal Navy and merchant navy sailors served in the 78 convoys that braved the Arctic Ocean, with more than 3,000 losing their lives.
The number of remaining veterans of the conflict sadly reduces with each passing year, but those who endure wear their Atlantic Star medals and Arctic Emblems with pride. They keep the memories of their shipmates alive and they will never forget them. Occasions such as the debate keep the story of their heroism, bravery and endeavour burning brightly.
I can only add to the congratulations to Rob Gibson. He has worked on the issue for some time but, by bringing the matter to the chamber for debate, he serves the memory of those involved well. We owe a debt of gratitude that we can never repay but we can and should remember those who served.
The heroism and determination to succeed that those remarkable young men demonstrated has been acknowledged by the Russian Government and the people of Russia. I welcome that and thank the Russian Government and people for such a kind gesture. They recognise that the convoys played a vital role in ensuring that food supplies, munitions and equipment were available to the Russian people as they continued their resistance to the Nazi invasion. If members think about the battle of Stalingrad, they will realise how crucial those supplies were.
As a mark of that respect, in 1985, the Russian Government commissioned a Medal for the 40th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, which is known more commonly as the Russian convoy medal, and awarded it to veterans of the Arctic convoys.
Sadly, despite promises that the coalition parties made while in opposition, the UK Government has yet to follow that lead and commission an official campaign medal. I am delighted that different members have said that they intend to write to the Government on that issue. I wrote to Andrew Robathan MP, the Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, on 5 September to urge him to follow the example set by the Russian Government and give the Arctic convoy veterans the official recognition that they richly deserve. I await his reply.
I welcome the work of those who have started an ambitious fundraising programme that aims to raise £1 million to establish a public museum space of around 3,000ft2, sited beside a new village hall in Aultbea. That museum will create an archive and display artefacts of the conflict, not least the one that Chic Brodie mentioned. I wish them well with that endeavour and am sure that they will succeed in creating a lasting legacy to the brave men who left Loch Ewe and sailed into the unknown.
On Annabelle Ewing’s point that the Scottish Government should assist with the funding of that ambitious and fitting tribute to those brave seafarers, I confirm that the Scottish Government makes funding available to local and non-national museums through Museums Galleries Scotland, which will be able to provide advice on setting up a museum. I encourage the organisers to make contact directly with Museums Galleries Scotland if they have not done so yet. My officials will provide any interested parties with the relevant contact details.
The Scottish Government does a number of things to support veterans. We have allocated £320,000 to establish a specific Scottish veterans fund. We have also appointed an armed forces and veterans advocate and created a defence policy unit to ensure that veterans issues are at the heart of all our defence policy. We will continue to work with the Ministry of Defence, the armed forces, the health service, local authorities, the veterans community and service providers to put in place the best possible level of support for our veterans.
I have one final point, on remembering. My view is that, for individuals in a life-threatening situation such as armed combat, there is an acute fear that their contribution or the sacrifice that they make will not be acknowledged or remembered. That might sound odd, but it is my view and it is a very real fear. It is our responsibility to ensure that the huge contribution that veterans make, including the ultimate sacrifice, is not just acknowledged but remembered, and remembered with pride. They deserve nothing less.
Meeting closed at 17:40.