FOUR Arctic convoy heroes have finally been given the royal recognition more than 70 years after they risked their lives in one of the harshest combat theatres of the Second World War.

The former sailors and airmen – now in their late 80s and 90s and living in Dartmouth – took to the parade ground, probably for the last time, at Britannia Royal Naval College as the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, shook their hands and publicly congratulated them.

Cdr Tommy Handley, Lt(A) Freddy Harsant, Cdr Harold Lloyd and former Able Seaman Syd Thompson all took part in the infamous Second World War Murmansk convoys, braving U-boat and aerial attacks to get vital war supplies through to the beleaguered Russians.

A special medal recognising their vital wartime campaign was finally struck this year.

All four were due to have the new medals presented to them formally by Prince Andrew during the Lord High Admiral's Divisions passing out parade ceremony at the college.

But in the end royal protocol involving medal presentations meant they ended up receiving their Arctic Star medals through the post.

But in brilliant sunshine and beneath a Royal Navy Merlin helicopter fly-past, they stood to attention in front of hundreds of service personnel and members of the public as Prince Andrew gave them the royal recognition for their remarkable wartime service.

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.

On the morning of the presentation, Cdr Handley said: 'It is wonderful to get this recognition. We are tickled pink.'

Lt (A) Harsant, now 92, joined the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve for flying duties in 1939 and trained as an observer and flew Swordfish in the Western desert in 1940.

More on this story in this week's Dartmouth Chronicle