Wait of 70-years over as veteran gets war medal

Gerald Moore, 88, of Queen’s Road, Worthing, sailed in the Arctic convoys in 1942, which shipped supplies to Murmansk to help in the fight against the Germans.

On Thursday, he was presented with his medal by East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton – a moment which was long overdue.

The convoys were never officially recognised by the Government, until a campaign by one of the veterans was successful last year.

Mr Moore said: “I have waited 70 years for this and it feels great. I am very glad to have been recognised at last.

“The Ministry of Defence said they would send it through the post, and I said ‘you must be joking’. Tim then stepped in.”

Mr Loughton now wants to appeal for others in the area who may be eligible to come forward.

He said: “It’s a long-overdue recognition of an amazing part of the war effort, which was not properly celebrated at the time.

“The Ministry of Defence won’t tell me how many veterans are in my constituency, due to data protection, so I’d like to ask them to get in touch.”

Anyone who thinks they are eligible should contact [email protected] or call his constituency office on 
01273 757182.

For the full story, see the Worthing Herald, out Thursday, August 1.