A NAVY veteran has died just weeks after receiving a medal for his efforts in the Second World War.
Edwin Mirfield, 88, from Selby, received the Ushakov Medal at a ceremony at Selby War Memorial Hospital in September from Deputy Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire Brigadier Nigel Wood, on behalf of Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Mr Mirfield, who volunteered for service as a 17-year-old, was presented with the Ushakov Medal for his service when he took part in the Allied efforts to deliver supplies to Russia as it fought against Germany in the Second World War.
The award was accompanied by a letter expressing the gratitude of the Russians after thousands of Allied seamen lost their lives as the British ships sailed in stormy waters of the Arctic Ocean under constant threat of attack by German U-Boats and aircraft.
At the presentation, Edwin said only: "They were very difficult times."
Mr Mirfield, who before retiring was a senior mill supervisor at the former BOCM mill in Barlby Road, has previously received the British Star for his time on the convoys.
His funeral service will take place at St Wilfrid's Church, Brayton, on Friday, October 23, at 1pm, followed by a private cremation at York crematorium.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here