Announcements

`Arctic Star Medal' MR IVOR JOHN GREGORY Mrs Enid Gregory of Crediton House, 16 Great North Road is very proud to confirm that her late husband Ivor John Gregory has recently been awarded the `Arctic Star Medal' for his service in the Royal Navy aboard the Destroyer HMS Saumerez in 1943/4 during the Russian Convoys. Leading Telegrapher Ivor John Gregory, Service No D/WRX 815 joined HMS Saumerez, an `S' Class Destroyer in June 1943. He was on a series of Arctic Convoys from 12th November 1943 to the 2nd November 1944. The most notable of these is said to be JW55B, which sailed from Kola Inlet on 22nd December 1943 and engaged in the Battle of North Cape. Early on the 26th December 1943, knowing that the German Battleship `Scharnhorst' was in the vicinity, the Commander-in Chief ordered his own Force and Cruiser to cover up in close anticipation of imminent action. At the same time the Scharnhorst became detached from her own destroyers and throughout the day various Cruisers and Destroyers from the Home Fleet sighted the Scharnhorst and engaged in action with her. Eventually a torpedo attack in poor weather and visibility brought about her end. She sank in the Arctic gloom and in spite of a thorough search, only 35 survivors were rescued from a total ships complement of nearly 1700 men. Aboard HMS Saumerez, Ldg Telegrapher Ivor Gregory later took part in the support activities which led up to the D Day Landings on Juno, Gold and Sword Beaches. At the end of hostilities he was discharged from the Royal Navy in December 1945 and returned to his home town of Milford Haven.