WAR veteran Cyril Bartlett has finally received his Ushakov medal from the Russian Embassy after a long campaign by his family.

The 95-year-old was presented with the British Arctic Star in April 2015 after facing freezing temperatures as part of the Royal Navy during the Second World War.

Mr Bartlett was also entitled to the Russian award in recognition of his and fellow British soldiers' efforts to deliver supplies to Soviet forces between 1941 and 1945.

His son David, who lives in Old Walcot and is his father’s full-time carer, has been battling for two years to get him recognised with the Russian medal.

He said: “I am proud beyond words I can express. It’s been a battle for two years and we were worried Cyril would not be able to see it.

“It’s marvellous he’s been presented with it. They risked their lives for this country and for Russia and it should be them that receives it and he has it.”

Mr Bartlett received his medal on Wednesday (Feb 17) from a Russian delegate.

A second presentation on March 10 with the Swindon Sea Cadets, which Mr Bartlett helped create before the war, will see Rear Admiral Nick Wilkinson rededicate the medal.

“It will be a swansong for him and it will be nice for his friends and family to be there to see him,” Mr Bartlett added.

“I must admit I never thought it was going to happen, there are lots of people in the same boat but he’s got it, I am very proud.”

Over 65,000 people took part in the Arctic Convoys during the Second World War but only around 200 are still alive today.

There were around 300 casualties in the 78 voyages that took place with the navy losing 18 ships.

Cyril spent time aboard the HMS Vervain during the Second World War, which travelled deep into the Arctic Circle when he was barely out of his teens.

Mr Bartlett said: “Because they were going into the Arctic, the ships obviously got frozen up. There could be a foot of ice and that had to be chipped off constantly, day and night or the ship ‘turned turtle’.

“What they went through was total horrific, they had to wear every single piece of clothing they had. When they went to action stations they could be there for two days solid without sleep.”