Three veterans have paid their respects to more than 3,000 sailors who lost their lives aboard the Arctic Convoys of the Second World War.
Bernard Roberts, 91, from Cardonald, James Docherty, 92, from Dalmarnock, and Edwin Leadbetter, 92, from Newton Mearns travelled to Loch Ewe, Western Ross for the poignant ceremony commemorating the convoys yesterday.
Albert Lamond, 92, from Erskine was also due to attend the event however, due to ill health was unable to make the trip.
Chosen for its remote location, Loch Ewe, in the north-west Highlands, became the gathering point for many of the Arctic Convoys during the invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941 before they set off.
A total of 78 convoys travelled to and from Russia between 1941 and 1945 taking four million tonnes of supplies to the Soviet forces, including, 7,000 planes and 5,000 tanks.
It was through these perilous journeys that more than 3,000 sailors and merchant seamen lost their lives aboard the ships.
Andy Riach, welfare officer for Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS), attended the commemorations.
He said: “I am extremely proud to accompany a small group of Royal Navy veterans from the Russian Arctic Convoy missions to the 2018 commemoration. In my role as a welfare officer at DMWS, I have supported two veterans who have served on the convoys. I have seen firsthand what it means to them to remember the hardships and the lives lost at the time, and in the years since.”
Sharon Higgins, deputy head of welfare services at Poppyscotland, added: “The route taken by the convoys was exceptionally dangerous, especially in winter, and conditions were among the worst faced by any Allied sailors during World War II. In addition to battling the elements, many of the convoys were attacked by German submarines, aircraft and warships.
“No-one can underestimate the role played by the thousands of brave sailors who embarked on these perilous but pivotal missions. Now, more than 75 years on, Poppyscotland is delighted to be leading the Unforgotten Forces consortium as well as delivering the Break Away service in partnership with The Travel Company Edinburgh.
“Collaboration is at the heart of what we do, and the veterans visiting Loch Ewe are a terrific example of how bringing together services that are of benefit to these individuals can have such a positive impact.”
