A HEROIC Russian Arctic Convoy veteran from Oldham has been honoured with two prestigious medals – 70 years after his exploits for King and country.
Albert Giddens, 91, who lives in Hollinwood, has been awarded The Arctic Star Medal from the British Government and is soon to receive The Ushakov Medal from The Embassy of The Russian Federation.
He is one of last survivors to have served on Cruiser HMS Trinidad, which was part of the fleet carrying supplies to the Soviet Union during World War 2.
But his time on-board was far from plain sailing as HMS Trinidad accidentally torpedoed herself in 1942 after coming under attack from a German U-Boat in the Arctic Sea.
The ship limped into Murmansk to be patched up – but when it set sail again six weeks later it was dived bombed within three hours and had to be destroyed so the Germans would not capture it.
But Albert’s adventure continued as he was sent for a second stint with the Russian Convoys aboard the Destroyer HMS Obdurate and also later served on the HMS Valiant and HMS Norfolk.
Steve, Albert’s son who lives in Uppermill, hailed his father’s courage on The Russian Convoys and welcomed the medals despite the seven-decade gap since the event.
He said: “My dad is a very quiet man so he wouldn’t shout it from the rooftops. He doesn’t like to make a fuss or have his name up in lights.
“He is so non-assuming but I am sure it means the world to him. It certainly means the world to me as how many people can say they have a 91-year-old father who has been through what he has?
“He is my hero. From what he went through not once but twice, he deserves the recognition. What they endured was horrendous – the conditions, the sea, the weather.
“We’ve been working with the local MP to push the Government for The Arctic Star Medal and when they finally come up with it another one comes along as well.”
And Albert has had his exploits recognised closer to home as Steve’s neighbour nine-year-old Elliot Jones chose the veteran as his hero for a school project.
Steve, who also served in the Royal Navy, added: “To hear the little lad next door pick my dad over people like Bradley Wiggins is incredible.
“In my mind, he thoroughly deserves the medals for what he has been through.”
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