THE son of a Millport Arctic Convoy veteran attended a special ceremony to celebrate his father's heroic actions 70 years on.

Stewart Aitken attended an evening reception at the Merchants Hall in Edinburgh as guest of the Russian Consul General Mr Andrey Pritsepov to represent his courageous dad, also called Stewart.

The event was held to celebrate Russia Day and invitations extended to surviving veterans of the Arctic Convoys and their families.

Stewart's late father took part in both Arctic and Atlantic Convoys during the war and travelled the world in his days in the Merchant Navy.

Stewart said: "He always had a tale to tell about various adventures in exotic locations but he was torpedoed twice and described the journeys to Murmansk and Archangel in Russia as 'hell on earth'."

Not only did the men have to sail through violent storms, brave freezing conditions and negotiate icebergs, they were also under constant threat of attack from submarines, ships and aircraft.

Stewart adds: "Like all our servicemen, my father had a job to do and he did it without complaint. The Russian people were starving and desperately needed supplies, not only food but every essential imaginable."

The Russians have never forgotten the sacrifices made by men like Stewart. Some 2,800 never returned to our shores and survivors and their families were invited to celebrate Russia Day in honour of their bravery.

It was nearly seven decades after the end of the war before the British Government announced the award of a medal, The Arctic Star, for those in the British Armed Forces and Merchant Navy who had served north of the Arctic Circle.

The Russians had issued three memorial medals and then in 2014 presented those servicemen and women with the Ushakov Medal.

Stewart died in March 2017 in his 90s and still enjoyed the use of his holiday home in Crichton Street, as well as still being regular visitor and supporter of the local British Legion branch.

When his son Stewart received the invitation, he invited another Millport veteran John Kennedy as his guest, both pictured. John, a firm family friend, spent 26 years serving with both the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and the Royal Highland Fusiliers.

Stewart added: "The overall atmosphere of the reception was one of celebration and friendship and the hospitality shown was marvellous."