A WAR hero from Musselburgh has been presented with Russia’s highest naval honour for his part in delivering vital aid and munitions to the country during the Second World War.

George Laidlaw, 91, has received the Medal of Ushakov from Andrey Pritsepov, the Russian Consul General in Edinburgh, for his role in the Arctic Convoys.

The medal for bravery in combat was named in honour of Russian Admiral Fyodor Ushakov, who was proclaimed patron saint of the Russian Navy. Mr Laidlaw was awarded the medal by the decree of the Russian President.

East Lothian Courier:

He received a personalised, limited edition officer’s Vostock wristwatch during his meeting with Mr Pritsepov, which lasted around an hour and a half.

A spokesman for the Russian Consulate said: “It is a replica of the officer’s watch worn during the Second World War and has been commissioned from Russia exclusively for the veterans of the Arctic Convoys in Scotland.

“The Arctic Convoy veterans are considered war heroes by Russia.”

Mr Laidlaw was also presented with gifts which were created with the help of the Scottish community to mark the 75th anniversary of the first Arctic Convoy last year.

Code-named Dervish, the first of the convoys started the dangerous voyages by which the Western Allies supplied material aid to the Soviet Union in its fight with Nazi Germany. The convoy sailed from Hvalfjörður, Iceland, on August 21, 1941, and arrived at Archangelsk or Archangel on August 31, 1941.

East Lothian Courier:

The gifts to Mr Laidlaw included: a photo-book by Commander Dairmid Gunn and photographer Kenneth Reynolds containing life stories of 30 veterans and rare historical photographs; a limited anniversary edition Highland single malt whisky “in recognition and gratitude to all those who steadfastly served with honour and distinction”; and a three-piece set of woollen souvenirs made of specially registered Russian Arctic convoy tartan.

The convoys carried cargo including tanks, fighter planes, fuel ammunition, raw materials and food. The route was around occupied Norway to the Soviet ports and was particularly dangerous due to the proximity of German air, submarine and surface forces.

The men involved faced the likelihood of severe weather, fog, strong currents and the mixing of cold and warm waters, which made the use of sonar ASDIC equipment to detect submarines difficult. Other dangers included drift ice and the alternation between the difficulties of navigating and maintaining convoy cohesion in constant darkness in winter or being attacked around-the-clock in constant daylight in summer.

Mr Laidlaw served aboard the destroyer HMS Sardonyx which escorted Arctic Convoys in 1943, after he joined the Royal Navy at the age of 18.

East Lothian Courier:

He sailed to the Hebrides into the North Sea to Norway and Russia. He spent a year in Russian waters visiting Kola Inlet and Archangel. The voyage was through the worst winter, with storms and ice.

Mr Laidlaw recalled having to chip the ice off all areas of the ships or they would have sunk with the weight.

He rescued many sailors from the icy waters after their ships were destroyed, looking after them until they were transferred to vessels with medics on board.

East Lothian Courier:

At the age of 19, Mr Laidlaw took part in the D-Day landings and spent three-and-a-half-years minesweeping in the Mediterrean on HMS Rowena.

He has also been presented with the Arctic Star and the Légion d’Honneur, France’s top order for military and civil merits.

Mr Laidlaw, who lives with his wife of 67 years Mabel, was accompanied to the consulate by daughters Morag Telfer and Ruth Tennant, enjoying tea, coffee and shortbread with Mr Pritsepov.

He said he “thoroughly enjoyed” meeting the Consul General and his staff, and praised the “hospitality” which was shown to him by everyone at the embassy.