“WWII Arctic convoy veterans share their memories (Part 1)”

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During World II, when Nazi Germany invaded the then Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), Western Allies, including the United Kingdom came to its rescue. Thousands of brave Sailors, Airmen and Soldiers risked their lives under indescribably harsh and dangerous conditions to deploy on Arctic convoys, which were transporting some four million tons of supplies and munitions to the Soviet Union between 1941 and 1945.

Two young men – Mr Joseph Wilkinson (now 94) and Lt Cdr Trevor Poland (RN, Ret, now 97) – were part of the Arctic convoys. Of UK origin, both are the last two surviving veterans of the Arctic convoys living in South Africa.

This is the first part of a two-part article that was published in the Navy News.

Published in the Navy News of February-March 2021.