A war veteran has been honoured for the second time by the Russian government for his courage and bravery during the defence of the Soviet Union in the Second World War.

Jack Millard, from Hemingford Grey, was presented with the medal of Ushakov last week, to recognise the part of he played in the Royal Navy’s Arctic convoys.

“It is fantastic, I should have gone to London for a ceremony but a military attaché from the Russian embassy came and he gave the same service as I would have had if I went down to London,” said Mr Millard.

The medal, named in honour of Russian admiral Fyodor Ushakov who never lost a battle and was proclaimed patron saint of the Russian Navy, has been awarded to thousands of veterans for what Winston Churchill called “the worst journey in the world.”

In August last year, Mr Millard, a former Royal Navy Able Seaman was presented with a commemorative medal for the 70th anniversary of victory in the ‘Great Patriotic War 1941-45’.

At the time Mr Millard told The Hunts Post: “I have received a medal for the Pacific, Atlantic and Mediterranean but those three put together weren’t as bad as the Arctic so I’m glad to get some recognition for it.”

Following the presentation Mr Millard has been invited to the Russian embassy to tell his story for future generations.

“I am looking forward to going down to the Russian embassy and I will definitely be wearing my medal when I visit with my daughter,” added Mr Millard.