Medals for convoy veterans - 60 years on

The North Atlantic Fleet sailed from 1941 until the end of the war, setting off from the UK to the Russian ports of Murmansk and Archangel.

Merchant ships carrying supplies and ammunition, vital to the war effort after German forces blockaded Russia, were escorted by British Royal Naval ships.

German U-boats and aircraft attacked the convoys and more than 3,000 men, some as young as 16 years old, perished in the icy waters of the North Atlantic, their bodies never to be recovered.

Andrew Mortimer, of The Avenue, writes: “During the Second World War, the Russians were supplied from Britain with thousands of tons of food and ammunition through the ports of Murmansk and Archangel. 

“Some 80 convoys were made, including 180 British ships. They had to endure not only the bestial North Atlantic winter weather but also, the German attacks from the Norwegian coast, the sea and from the air. 

“Of the thousands of sailors involved, 3,000 died – today there are 400 left, not counting the veteran who died this last Remembrance Day.

“One particularly lively mid-80-year-old survivor of the Russian Convoys, who has lived in Watford for many years, is the Reverend Donald Wallace, honorary chaplain of Parmiter’s School.

“He joined the Navy when he was 17 years old and served on the frigate Essington during this time and right through to the Normandy landings.”

However, like the men of Bomber Command, Mr Wallace and the rest of the Arctic Convoy did not received commendation for the part he played in World War Two.

Mr Mortimer added: “In their wisdom, the government of the day and, indeed, successive governments have declined to recognise the immense bravery of our servicemen in the North Atlantic theatre and it was the Russians who first awarded a medal shortly after the war was over. 

“For many years the Government would not allow it to be worn.

“Recently, the Russian government again attempted to award the Ushakov medal to Arctic Convoy veterans but again, our Government refused to allow it.”

After enormous pressure from the public and several MPs, including Watford’s Richard Harrington, the Government has relented and awarded the Arctic Convoy Star to the dwindling number of participating sailors who have survived and lived to old age. 

At the same time as this, Bomber Command veterans have been similarly recognised with the award of a clasp.

This is a picture of the opening day of the swimming pool at Kingsway School, Garston. It was taken in 1966/67, and features Gary Birch, John Franklin, Eddy Scott, Terry Scott and Stuart Fiskin. Do you know any of these boys? Were you at Kingsway School at the time? Please write and tell us more.

Joss Leclercq from France has written in about a Bristol Blenheim bomber which was shot down during 1940.

Mr Leclercq, who lives in Aubers, near Lille, said: “I’m an aviation history reseacher as a hobby, and I’m researching the loss of a Bristol Blenheim bomber crew.

“On May 22, 1940, Blenheim Mk IV serial number L8761 took off from Wattisham at 16:15 hours to bomb enemy troops and transports in the Hesdin and St Pol-sur-Ternoise area, with five other bombers.

“L8761 was hit by anti aircraft artillery and crashed in flames in the village of Loison-sur-Créquoise.

“The bombs which were still on board exploded after impact and no member of the crew survived.

“The pilot was Squadron Leader George Freeman Hall, the observer was Sergeant Kenneth Frederick Quarrington and the wireless operator air gunner was Leading Aircraftman Charles Scott Torrance.

“They were initially buried in Loison, but transfered post-war to Boulogne-sur-Mer Eastern Cemetery, where they are still buried.

“I’m contacting you following the suggestion of Chris Cooksey, of the Watford and District Industrial History Society, about K.F. Quarrington, who was aged 19 at the time of his death. He was the son of Frederick W and Annie V Quarrington, of Watford.

“I’d be very happy to be able to get in touch with members of the family, or people who knew him, to exchange information.

“I’m looking for a picture of this airman, which may exist, in contemporary clippings about local war casualties.

“I thank you very much in advance for any help you could give me.”

Does anyone know anything about L8761, Sergeant Kenneth Frederick Quarrington, or his parents?

Omar Ramzan has written in with a picture request. He said: “I am after some old photos of north Watford, especially around the Bruce Grove area.

“I have been searching for photos for many years, and have visited the local Watford library in my search, but had no luck.

“I am a resident of Bruce Grove in Watford and really want to see what the area looked like well before the 1980s.

“Please can you help? Look forward to hearing from you very soon.”

Does anyone have any pictures of the area pre-1980s? Please write and let us know. Just click on the link at the bottom of this page.

John Howard Norfolk, from Devon, has written in about the time snow closed Watford Fields Infants School in 1982.

Mr Norfolk, who previously lived in Oxhey but is now living in Tiverton, said: “I remember walking in deep snow in Watford in January 1982.

“I had to carry my son, David Norfolk, on my back through the snow to reach Field Infants School.

“When we got there I discovered the school had tried to close for the day by phoning parents to warn them.

“The message failed to reach our family as we had very recently moved into Oxhey Village from Northwood.

“Our David, coming up for his fifth birthday, spent the day in the school’s nursery accompanied by a handful of other children and supervised by most of the teachers and the dinner ladies who had nothing else to do except play and try to keep warm.

“When I collected him – again by piggy back – in the afternoon he said: ‘Daddy Daddy it’s been such fun. Can I come to school again tomorrow?’.

“He thought school meant playing in a nursery all day surrounded by adults wanting to play with him.”

This Nostalgia column was first published in the Watford Observer on December 28, 2012.

If you have anything to add – or would like to tell us anything you think our readers may enjoy about Watford's history – we are always pleased to hear from you. Contact Nostalgia, by clicking here abinnie@london.newsquest.co.uk