Anger at 'five pence' war honour

The Arctic Star was awarded while Tony Blair was prime minister

A veteran of the World War II Arctic convoys has told of anger and sadness among survivors that a UK medal has not been dedicated to their service.

Jock Dempster said they only had a badge - the Arctic Star - which was "the approximate size of a five pence".

He was among those to deliver speeches at a gathering of veterans and VIPs at Loch Ewe in Wester Ross.

The Ministry of Defence said the emblem recognised the dangerous duties and added there were no plans for a medal.

Loch Ewe was a port for merchant ships carrying supplies to Archangel, Murmansk and the Kola Inlet.

Successive UK Governments have refused to consider awarding a medal specifically for the Russian convoy campaign Jock Dempster Convoy veteran

Thousands died from exposure to sub-zero temperatures and attacks.

Winston Churchill called the Russian run "the worst journey in the world".

At 80, Mr Dempster - who sent his speech to the BBC Scotland news website in advance of Thursday's gathering at Pool House Hotel - is the youngest of the Scottish survivors, whose average age is 86.

He joined the convoys as a junior ordinary seaman.

In his speech Mr Dempster, of Lothian, said veterans were awarded a National 40th Anniversary Commemorative Medal for the Patriotic War by the Russian government, but still did not have a UK campaign medal dedicated to convoy service.

He said: "Successive UK Governments have refused to consider awarding a medal specifically for the Russian convoy campaign, despite a nine-year intensive campaign by veterans for recognition.

"Mr (Tony) Blair did eventually award a badge to the veterans which reads 'Arctic Star', the approximate size of a five pence piece, which we are forbidden to wear alongside our British Campaign Medals.

"It must be worn on the lapel."

The badge has been awarded since 2006.

Mr Dempster was also to tell the gathering of the conditions sailors and airmen endured and of losses to attacks and extreme weather.

The Royal Navy and representatives from Russia and Norway were invited to attend the tribute in Wester Ross.

Between 1941 and 1945 ships also left the Clyde and ports in Iceland for the then Soviet Union. Sailings from Loch Ewe were made between 1942 and 1944.

Crews and vessels were lost in attacks from German aircraft and u-boats.

Scottish veterans recently made their annual visit to a memorial to the Loch Ewe convoys.

The MoD said the star was a "unique, recognised addition to medals".

A spokesman added: "It may be worn on the lapel, or above the breast pocket, either on occasions when it is appropriate to wear medals, or on its own with either formal or informal dress. "There are no plans to introduce any new medals for Second World War service."