The son of a Largs man who took part in the treacherous Arctic Convoys - believed to be the world's most dangerous sea crossing in WW2 by none other than Winston Churchill - was invited to a war memorial parade in Moscow this month.
Graham, son of Murray Haddow, took part in the 'Immortal Regiment' Victory Day parade in Red Square, displaying a placard picture of his father, after being invited by the Russian government.
The event was also attended by Head of State Vladimir Putin, who held up a picture of his own father, also called Vladimir.
Graham was invited via the Russian Arctic Convoy Museum Project in Loch Ewe, Fife, and spoke to the 'News' about how he received great warmth from Russian families and people of all ages who wanted to pose beside him for photographs.
Graham was a guest of honour of the Russians, and asked to take part in the parade which marked the end of WW2, and admitted to the 'News' that it was a once in a lifetime opportunity which was extremely humbling and moving.
The Arctic Convoys provided essential supplies and weapons over an epic 1600 mile journey in perishing conditions, and enabled Russia to stave off invasion from Nazi Germany.
Graham said: "My dad is now aged 90 and is one of the few remaining survivors of the Arctic Convoys. He took part in six convoys on board the Destroyer HMS Caprice.
"The UK government eventually recognised the contribution of those who were part of the Arctic Convoys only three years ago, and awarded the 'Arctic Star Medal' to those who took part.
"The Russian government have previously awarded medals to UK servicemen who took part and again recently recognised their gratitude my awarding the 'Ushakov Medal' which was previously only awarded to Russian servicemen for 'bravery and courage displayed while defending the Motherland'
Few, if any, Arctic Convoy veterans would be able to make the journey to Moscow because of their age and Graham went to represent his father and those who took part in the Arctic Convoys on behalf of the Russian Arctic Convoy Museum Project.
Sporting his 100 year old Haddow family kilt and father's medals with great pride, Graham said: "It was amazing. I will never forget it - it was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
"We were taken to a high rise building on to roof to view 71 aircraft of all different kinds to mark the 71 years after the war, then we gradually made our way to the gathering point at Red Square.
"It felt a very family affair, and it was unbelievable the amount of people who turned out, apparently up to 100,000 people.
"Then followed what I can only describe as something similar to a Mexican Wave, except it was a Mexican shout, and started at the front and makes it way back. and you can hear it coming in the distance from half a mile or further before it reaches you.
"I was photographed with families, and with a gran and her whole family. For the Russians, it was really a happy family occasion, and not a sombre one. People asked me in broken English about my father. People kept shaking my hand and patting me on the shoulder, and thanking me and pointing at the photo. I really was quite struck by that and it happened a number of times."
There was a massive fireworks display right across the city skyline to complete the day.
Graham, 61, moved to Largs with his parents in 1971, but now lives in Dundee, and is a PE teacher, and has two grown-up sons.
He said: "You can understand why the Russians were so respectful and thankful for the effort from other countries as they were pretty much hemmed in by the Nazis."
Murray had waited decades to be rewarded by the British government with a medal for his endeavours on the Arctic Convoys which evaded enemy crossfire, including submarine explosives and air attacks.
In 2013, an awards presentation fittingly took place at Poolewe in Rossshire, close to Loch Ewe where most of the convoys sailed from.
Murray took part in six Arctic Convoys – JW59 to Murmansk in June 1944 and the return convoy RA59A, convoy JW61A to the Kola Inlet in November 1944 with the return Convoy RA61A later that month, and then Convoy JW62 in December 1944 and the return Convoy RA62 from the Kola Inlet later that same month.
Murray said the rough conditions on each journey were equally “frightening” and “adventurous” to a young sailor: "I didn’t think anything of conscription. We just went out and did it.
“I’m very proud of Graham for representing me in Moscow. It’s a tremendous honour.”
The convoys from 1941 to 1945 carried nearly four million tons of goods, including tanks, planes, fuel, ammunition, raw materials and food. In total, 1400 merchant ships were escorted, 87 were lost, along with 18 Royal Navy vessels, and more than 3000 died.
Graham was joined on his trip by Bob Miller, representing The Russian Arctic Convoy memorial in Lyness, Orkney, and Sarah Taylor, daughter of Convoy veteran, Derrick Johnstone.