Hi, I hope you had a good Xmas. And that all's welI in Melbourne.
As usual have taken a two week break until the New Year. My sister and her youngest daughter [she has two] had lunch with us today. And it has been a busy [and noisy] family time all round!
The reason why I'm penning this time is this: about a year ago I asked my Great Uncle [the younger brother of Mum's late father] about his time in the Navy in World War Two. Mum said that, after he returned home, his mother asked him about his experiences. But he said - like my Grandfather - that he didn't wish to talk about them. Instead he handed her a sketchbook!
Well, recently he sent me a brief account [and time-line: dates, ships he served on, etc] of his time on the Arctic Covoys, plus copies of some of his sketches! I have attached them, and hope you receive them!
I shall send a transcription of the time-line and my Great Uncle's notes, as the originals were hand-written. His writing is not bad for 92, but I had a little difficulty deciphering it....
Regards from the Sharpe family.
Your great Uncle's drawings are interesting, and if he served in Arctic Convoys he no doubt would have been eligible for the Arctic Star emblem, see this application form, I am sure his relatives could claim one for his service. See this URLon AHOY: http://www.ahoy.tk-jk.net/macslog/ArcticEmblemfromtheUKDepa.html
The Arctic Emblem
Service in the Arctic during the Second World War was recognised by the award of campaign stars at the end of the war. The criteria for the Atlantic Star include service with the convoys to North Russia and those who served in the campaign in Norway in 1940 qualified for the 1939-45 Star on entry into theatre instead of having to complete six months’ operational service as was usual for that star. There are no plans to introduce any new medals for Second World War service. The Government is, however, in the process of introducing a new Arctic Emblem.
Mindful that those who served in the Arctic regions were often subjected to especially dangerous circumstances including extreme weather conditions and determined resistance from German forces, the Prime Minister and his Cabinet colleagues believe that the service given and the conditions undergone by the Arctic veterans warrant tangible recognition in the form of something that can be worn. As a result, on 7 March 2005 the Prime Minister announced at a reception for Arctic veterans, the introduction of a new Arctic Emblem that can be worn as a unique, recognised addition to medals.
The design concept of the Arctic Emblem has been agreed with Arctic veterans’ representatives. It will be a small metal star, mainly enamelled white, with a red dot in the centre and above it a scroll with the words “The Arctic” in gold letters. The star represents the Polar Star, the white colouring symbolises ice and the red centre represents the field of the flags of the USSR and Norway. The exact details of the design will be agreed with the contractor who will produce the Emblem, taking account of what is technically possible.
The Arctic Emblem is authorised for wear on the lapel, or above the left breast pocket, either on occasions when it is appropriate to wear medals, or on its own with either formal or informal dress. [Halcyon Webmaster: See note above confirming that the star may be pinned to the Atlantic Star or 1939 to 45 Star]. All those who served for at least one day north of the Arctic Circle (latitude 66◦ 32′ N) and west of the Urals between 3 September 1939 and 8 May 1945, in the Armed Forces or the Merchant Navy, will qualify for the Emblem.
There will be no charge for the Emblem. In common with the issue of campaign medals, the surviving next of kin may claim the Emblem on behalf of Arctic veterans who have died, but they will not be entitled to wear it.
Veterans or next of kin wishing to claim the Arctic Emblem should do so by completing the attached form as fully as possible and returning it to the address shown. If there is uncertainty about details of service, information can be obtained from Ministry of Defence archives; details are given under “Service Records” on the Veterans Agency website.
The Arctic Emblem should be available for distribution in the summer of 2006. Please note that because of the large number of applications already received it is not possible for the Ministry of Defence to acknowledge receipt of application forms or to check whether they have been received, or to deal with applications by telephone.
Application for Arctic Emblem - Questionnaire
Reference No. (DS Sec – Hons use only)
APPLICATION FOR ARCTIC EMBLEM - QUESTIONNAIRE
PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING DETAILS IN BLOCK CAPITALS
1. SURNAME .....................................................
2. FORENAMES (not initials) ....................................
3. SERVICE NUMBER ....................................................... RANK .........................
4. DATE OF BIRTH ...............................................
5. REGIMENT/CORPS/SHIP/SQUADRON/MERCHANT NAVY VESSEL ON ENLISTMENT AND DATE .......…...........................................................……………………………………………….
6. REGIMENT/CORPS/SHIP/SQUADRON/MERCHANT NAVY VESSEL ON DISCHARGE AND DATE ........….............................................................……………………………………………….
7. RANK HELD ON DISCHARGE ....................................………………………………………….
8. DETAILS OF YOUR SERVICE IN ARCTIC REGIONS, LOCATION(S), SHIPS, UNITS SQUADRONS ETC. AS APPROPRIATE AND APPROXIMATE DATES, INCLUDING CONVOY DESIGNATIONS (IF APPLICABLE): ..........................................................………………………………………………………………………..
................................................................……………………………………………………………............
................................................................…………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
9. PRESENT ADDRESS:
................................................................…………………………………………………………………….
................................................................…………………………………………………………………….
................................................................………………………………Post Code………………………….
10. TELEPHONE NUMBER: ……………………………………
11. IF YOU ARE CLAIMING AS NEXT OF KIN, PLEASE STATE RELATIONSHIP. …………….
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
12. WHEN COMPLETED PLEASE RETURN TO THE DEFENCE SERVICES SECRETARY – HONOURS SECTION, AT THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE. PLEASE MARK YOUR ENVELOPE "ARCTIC EMBLEM".
Defence Services Secretary – Honours 1
Ministry of Defence
Level 8, Zone J, Main Building
Horse Guards Avenue
London SW1A 2HB
If you have any supporting documentation, e.g. official Record of Service, please attach copies, (not the originals) which will assist us in determining eligibility to receive the Arctic Emblem.
