Welsh Arctic Convoy veterans receive special medals
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Veterans to receive bravery medals
Three Welshmen are among 65 Arctic Convoy and Bomber Command veterans set to be presented with medals to mark their service today.
Terrence Collelly and Oliver Lindsay, both from Cardiff, and James Row, from Bridgend, will receive their medals from Prime Minister David Cameron in Downing Street.
The Ministry of Defence says that to a quarter of a million veterans and the families of those who have died could be eligible to receive the new awards in recognition of their unique contribution protecting Britain during World War Two.
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Arctic heroes: What did they do?
Today the first Arctic Star medals and Bomber Command Clasps will be presented to veterans by the Prime Minister.
- Veterans undertook what was dubbed "the worst journey in the world", delivering supplies to Russia
- More than 3,000 seamen died on the journey, which made sure Germany had to fight a war on two fronts
- The seamen delivered ships which carried crucial supplies, including 13,000 tanks, 22,000 aircraft and 417,000 motor vehicles
- Some 58 of the 811 merchant ships involved were sunk by German U-boats, battleships and Luftwaffe bombers
- With freezing temperatures of minus 20 degrees, anyone who fell into the water died within three minutes
- The men covered a 1,500 to 2,000-mile run across the North and Barents Seas, one of the deadliest convoy routes during the war
Barracks closure: 'We need these jobs here'
There's anger in West Wales to news that 600 well paid military jobs are being transferred out of Pembrokeshire and into one of the most wealthy parts of Wales.
14th Signal Regiment is being moved out of Cawdor barracks near Haverfordwest to St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan. It's a move that will see a hundred million pounds investment in Wales, but also the closure of the Pembrokeshire base.
Civic leaders there have warned the move will have a devestating effect on the economy of west Wales.
Andrew RT Davies says the investment in St Athan is welcome news for the area
Andrew RT Davies AM is Regional Assembly Member for South Wales Central and leader of the Opposition
Barracks closure will be a 'devastating blow'
There are concerns that plans to pull 600 military personnel and close a base will have a 'devastating affect' on Pembrokeshire
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Stephen Crabb: Signals will not move for at least five years
Stephen Crabb is a Welsh Office Minister and represents the constituency of Preseli Pembrokeshire, home to Cawdor Barracks.
Army reorganisation 'will provide £100m investment in Wales'
Wales Office Minister Stephen Crabb says that the army reorganisation will see a £100 million investment in Wales as 14th Signal Regiment unit relocate to St Athan.
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that Cawdor Barracks in Brawdy, Pembrokeshire close, with 14th Signal Regiment moving to St Athan in 2018.
– Stephen Crabb MP, Wales Office MinisterWhilst it is disappointing that we will see Cawdor Barracks in Brawdy, Pembrokeshire close, these changes are essential for our future Armed Forces. I am pleased that the defence footprint is largely being maintained and that 14th Signal Regiment will be relocating within Wales to St Athan.
It is also expected that Wales specifically will receive much-needed infrastructure investment of approximately £100m to support the rebasing.
Alan Cairns: St Athan will become one of "UK's key military bases"
Alun Cairns has welcomed the news that the 14th Signal Regiment will move to the MoD base at St Athan.
The Conservative MP who represents the Vale of Glamorgan said that the announcement will "guarantee MoD funds in the area with increased spend from soldiers through to contracts for local builders for structural projects on site."
He said that without the move "St Athan could have been closed for development purposes" but that it will now become "one of the UK’s key military bases."
– Alun Cairns MP, Vale of GlamorganI am delighted that St Athan has been so successful in this Base Review. Winning the Royal Signals is a coup for St Athan. They are experts in electronic warfare, which along with the presence of Special Forces at the base puts St Athan at the cutting edge of the changes to modern conflict.
The decision, of course has been made on what is right for the forces.
This is a major boost for the community and wider economy. It secures the future of the site, for decades to come. It has been a long campaign and the support from the community has been key.
'Costed plan' to bring Army back from Germany
– Philip Hammond, Defence SecretaryThis announcement represents a costed and funded plan to bring our Army back from Germany... and provide the accommodation our troops deserve fulfilling our commitments to consolidate the Army estate and providing certainty to Army personnel and their families about where they will be based in the future.
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