Decorations honour surviving veterans

In two separate ceremonies at Number 10 Downing Street yesterday, the Prime Minister praised the veterans for their “incredible service” and apologised for their long wait for recognition.

The creation of the Arctic Star medal, along with the new Bomber Command clasp, were announced by Mr Cameron in December, 67 years after the war, following a long-running campaign.

Among the men to receive recognition in London yesterday were two Yorkshire veterans – Ronald Syson, from York, and Alexander Walker from Hull.

The decision to award them with medals followed recommendations of a review of military decorations by former diplomat Sir John Holmes, who also concluded that Bomber Commands had been treated “inconsistently” with their Fighter Command counterparts.

More than 3,000 seamen died over four years from 1941 on missions to keep open supply lines to Soviet ports, travelling what Winston Churchill dubbed the “worst journey in the world”.

The Prime Minister paid tribute to them as he described how 55,000 of the 125,000 people who joined Bomber Command also lost their lives.

Mr Cameron said: “They are heroes, and I think it’s just so right that we are honouring them today for their incredible service 70 years ago.

“I’m really proud as Prime Minister to have set up that review, to make that decision and to get them that medal they so richly deserve.

“When you hear their stories, it’s truly humbling and I think it’s absolutely right they get their medal.

“It shouldn’t have taken 70 years for this to be recognised.

“They were very brave people and were struggling against appalling odds.”