Inveresk veteran honoured at WW2 Arctic Convoys ceremony

Veteran Jim Simpson with his wife Sybil and Scots sailor Lee Campbell, who serves on HMS Dragon

A World War Two veteran has been honoured at a ceremony to mark the 75th anniversary of the Arctic Convoys on which he served.

Jim Simpson, 94, from Inveresk, near Musselburgh, was among 35 Royal Navy and Merchant Navy veterans who gathered in Liverpool to remember the convoys.

The ships sailed from the UK to Russia between 1941 and 1945 to provide supplies to the Eastern Front.

Many of the convoys left from Loch Ewe in Wester Ross and the River Clyde.

The route to Russia through the treacherous seas, often occupied by German U-boats, was described by Sir Winston Churchill as the worst journey in the world.

Mr Simpson served on HMS Devonshire during the war and left the Royal Navy in 1946 after serving for four years.

He joined other veterans for a reception at Liverpool Town Hall on Monday, followed by a ceremony on board Type 45 Destroyer HMS Dragon hosted by the ship's company and First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Philip Jones.

'Just a job'

Mr Simpson said: "It was a super day. Being on board a Royal Navy ship again made the memories flood back. I'm wondering if they still need recruits."

Over the course of the war, the convoys delivered millions of tons of cargo of all kinds, from tanks and aircraft to vital fuel and machinery.

About 3,000 seafarers lost their lives on the journeys and one in every 20 vessels taking on the route sank.

Mr Simpson said he did not see himself as heroic.

He said: "I never thought of myself in that way. I was just there to do a job.

Veterans and families gathered in Liverpool to mark the 75th anniversary of the Arctic Convoys

"Even now, everyone wants to hear my story but my whole focus was doing the best I could, the best job, and I had a lot of help along the way."

After the war he followed a career in the building trade, eventually becoming a director of the Walker Group.

Scottish Secretary David Mundell said: "The Arctic Convoys played a crucial role during the Second World War effort, with thousands of Scots enduring perilous conditions as they sailed from Loch Ewe and the Clyde to deliver much needed supplies to Russia.

"It is important that we remember the bravery and sacrifice of all those who took part and those who sadly lost their lives.

"I am pleased that 75 years later we continue to show our gratitude to those veterans, some of whom will be celebrating this anniversary with us."

Mr Simpson and his wife Sybil attended the event with the help of Legion Scotland.