THE bravery of a war veteran who undertook the "worst journey in the world" has finally been recognised.
Frederick Cheasley was just 17 when he volunteered to join the Royal Navy. Little did he know that a short while later, while resupplying Allied forces during the Second World War, he would be on board a disaster-struck S-class destroyer sinking off the coast of Normandy.
Unlike some of his comrades Mr Cheasley, now 87, survived the attack and is one of a group of veterans finally acknowledged for their work and bravery during the war with the award of a new medal.
Mr Cheasley, from Merstham, was presented with the Arctic Star by Prime Minister David Cameron on March 19.
The recognition has been 70 years in the making. Campaigners have long fought for the creation of the medal to recognise those who served on the Arctic Convoys – reported to have been named "the worst journey in the world" by the then Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
The convoys were tasked with resupplying the Soviet Union by ship from 1941 to 1945, and faced a constant threat from German U-boats.
Speaking after receiving his medal at a special ceremony in Downing Street, Mr Cheasley, who served aboard HMS Swift during the hostilities, said: "It was great, they really put a good spread on for us and everything.
"It was unexpected. They just called me out of the blue – which made it better. They said on the television they were going to present these medals, and then I got a call asking if I could go to Downing Street."
The father-of-two, who was joined at the ceremony by his son Barry, was then among a select few who joined the Prime Minister for a reception aboard HMS Belfast on the River Thames.
Mr Cheasley said his decision to volunteer for the Navy at such a young age stemmed from his family's military history – his father and his uncles had been in the forces before him.
It could have proved to be a fateful decision as he was on board an S-class destroyer on June 24, 1944 when it broke in half after detonating a mine. The vessel sank, with 26 crew lost.
"It was just off the coast off Normandy," recalled Mr Cheasley.
"We used to go out at night and a U-boat came during the night and laid a mine – that's all I can really remember about it. We were picked up by a couple of marines in a boat."
He also recalled another event, this time in 1945, when his ship managed to sink a German U-boat, which was always a major victory as these were the biggest threat to Allied ships during the war.
On leaving the Navy after three years and ten months, Mr Cheasley married his wife Jean, who said she, their son Barry and daughter Susan, were very proud of his recognition.
"It's a very exciting time. I think my son was more pleased than anything. He thought his father deserved it," she added.
"He never really spoke a lot about it [his time in the Navy] until now when they heard they were going to get medals."
Barry said: "The day was very good. He deserved it. It's taken about 70 years for them to get the medal but they have it at last."
At the ceremony, David Cameron said: "I can't think of a group of people that I'm more proud to have in Number 10 Downing Street.
"I'm only sorry it's taken 70 years to get you here and say thank you for what you did."
