Royal Navy war veteran Syd Thompson, who recently took on a skydiving mission for charity at the age of 93, is finally being recognised for his part in the Second World War Arctic convoy operations – with a royal presentation.

The former postman and able seaman is one of four Dartmouth servicemen who were part of the highly dangerous Murmansk run convoys, taking vital war time supplies to Russia during the war who are due to be presented with the new Arctic Star medals by Prince Andrew.

Mr Thompson will be joined by Cdr Tommy Handley who served with the Fleet Air Arm, Cdr Harold Lloyd, of the Royal Naval Reserve, and Lt (A) Freddy Harsant of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve as all four are honoured in a special presentation ceremony at the Britannia Royal Naval College.

The Duke of York will be at the college next Thursday to take the salute at the annual Lord High Admirals Divisions passing out parade.

But part of the day's ceremony will involve presenting the four Arctic Star medals, which were only presented for the first time in March this year.

Some 3,000 servicemen died taking part in the Arctic convoys while braving air and submarine attack as well as appalling sub zero weather conditions.

Wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill himself is reported to have described them as the 'worst journey in the world'.

Although the sailors and airmen who took part were eligible for the Atlantic Star, it has taken 70 years for them to be honoured with a medal of their own.

The first Arctic Stars to be presented were handed out by Prime Minister David Cameron to 40 veterans last month at a special ceremony at 10 Downing Street.

Mr Thompson joined the Royal Navy in 1936 and served on ships in the Atlantic and Mediterranean as well as the Arctic. He earned the Distinguished Service Medal on Atlantic convoy duty in 1944 – the same year he took part in the convoy runs to the Murmansk area.

Mr Thompson was 93 years old when he jumped out of an aircraft at 15,000ft last year to raise money for Dartmouth Hospital League of Friends.

Cdr Handley, now 90, joined the Royal Navy as a cadet 1940 and served on board HMS Duke of York as part of the covering force for the Russian convoys in 1942.

After flying training, he went on to fly Seafires and Hellcats with the Far East Fleet and earned a mention in despatches during the Korean War.

Lt (A) Harsant, who is now 92, joined the RNVR for flying duties in 1939 and trained as an observer.

He flew Swordfish in the Western Desert in 1940. He served on board HMS Edinburgh on Arctic convoys in 1941 and was rescued when the cruiser – which was carrying Russian bullion in payment for the British war aid – was sunk.

Cdr Lloyd is the youngest of four, aged 88. He joined the Royal Navy in 1942 as an Ordinary Seaman.

In February 1943, he joined HMS Offa and immediately sailed for the Russian convoy escort. The ship was switched to Atlantic convoys in March, just before the tide began turn against the German U-boats.

He was commissioned as a midshipman in September 1943.