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Introduction
Memorial Plaque, Wellington, New Zealand
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"The story of the
voyages to Murmansk
is one of almost
unbelievable horror, or
matchless courage,
and of unlimited devotion to duty.
There is nothing quite like it in all history". |
| Office of Naval
Operations, United States Naval Administration in World War
II |
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The
Russian Convoy Club of New Zealand exists to foster camaraderie
between veterans of the Arctic Convoys of World War Two.
The Arctic Convoys commenced with the first convoy "Dervish" which
set out from Hvalfjord, Iceland on 21 August 1941 and finished
following the return of "RA67" which sailed from Kola Inlet, Russia
on 23 May 1945 arriving in the Clyde Estuary, Scotland on 30 May
1945.
In October 2006, these veterans were finally officially recognised
for their wartime service with the awarding of The Arctic Emblem.
The club was formed at the instigation of John Middleton shortly
after the presentation of the 40th anniversary medallions by the
USSR Ambassador Yuri M. Sokolov.
Membership climbed to around 150, from all parts of New Zealand, in
the following years with John producing a regular newsletter until
declining health forced him to relinquish the position.
Unfortunately this resulted in a decline in membership but Chris
King took over the reins albeit with veterans mainly from the
Wellington region.
Succeeding Ambassadors have given the club their enthusiastic
support, as has Rear Admiral (Ret.) Ian Hunter CB RNZN and Chief of
Navy, Rear Admiral David Ledson RNZN.
Inscription on Memorial Plaque (above) situated on the
harbour-front in Wellington, New Zealand
In memory of all New Zealanders who participated in the
Arctic Convoys to and from Russia in World War II
1941-1945.
This plaque was unveiled on 9 May 2005 by Her Worship Kerry
L. Prendergast.
Initiated by the Embassy of the Russian Federation in New
Zealand, the Honorary Consulate of the Russian Federation in
Auckland,
Wellington City Council, the Russian Convoy Club and the
Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association.
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Aims of the Club
The Russian Convoy Club of New Zealand aims to:
* provide a social network for veterans of the Arctic
Convoys;
* foster camaraderie between members and interested
persons;
* maintain a record of member's experiences and memories
of the Arctic Convoys;
* provide a platform for the remembrance of the
sacrifices of friends and relatives; and
* organise regular events to network and remember.
Goodwill Messages
Dear participants of the Northern Convoys!
On behalf of the Russian Committee of War and Military
Service Veterans I would like to cordially greet you and war
comrades who shared with us the ordeals of the severe days
of the Second World War. We in Russia honour those who
helped us with brotherly solidarity. Risking your lives, you
were fulfilling your civic duty in the fight against
fascism, delivering to us through the harsh Arctic
everything essential for the combat against the enemy.
As it was pointed out in the message of Mr Vladimir V. Putin,
President of Russia to Ms Helen Clark, Prime Minister of New
Zealand in 2004 on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of
bilateral diplomatic relations, “people in my country
remember well the contribution to the common victory over
fascism of New Zealand war seamen who during the Second
World War took an active part in the operations of Northern
Convoys. It is symbolical that diplomatic relations between
our countries were established in this very period”.
We congratulate you on the creation of your own website. It
will help to strengthen relations between our veterans and
more importantly to preserve for future generations and
history documents and evidence of your feat.
We are ready for fruitful cooperation with you and
continuing the traditions of fraternity forged in the war
years.
We wish you health, prosperity and success for the sake of
peace!
Sincerely,
A. N. Efimov
President of the Russian Committee of War and Military
Service Veterans
Air Marshal
Twice Hero of the Soviet Union
Dear Air Marshal Efimov
On behalf of the Russian Convoy Club of New Zealand I wish
to express our appreciation for your message of greetings
and kind words. Modern technology in communication brings us
closer and I believe we veterans on both sides have an
important contribution to make to ensure that friendship
between our two countries is maintained. You have accorded
us a special privilege by your own personal communication.
The determination of all Russian combatants to defend their
homeland and finally gain victory in the Great Patriotic War
of 1941-45 was only matched by those in the allied navies
and merchant marine who fought their way along the Arctic
route to Murmansk or Archangel to deliver supplies of war
material and equipment for the armies of Russia on the
Eastern front, with sacrifice of lives and ships.
We have been honoured and are proud to wear the campaign
medals awarded by Russian Governments for the 40th, 50th and
60th anniversaries of the 1941-45 conflict. We also
acknowledge the friendship and loyalty of the Russian
Embassy staff in Wellington, New Zealand and in particular
the present Russian Ambassador, Mikhail Lysenko, and his
predecessors.
The Arctic campaign and the resilience of the Russian people
in facing the enemy will be forever remembered. The plaque
erected on the Wellington City waterfront, inspired by
Ambassador Lysenko, is a reminder which the veterans of our
two countries can never forget the war years and the
sacrifices made.
I have very good memories of my visit to Russia in November
1987 when I was privileged to meet war veterans in Moscow
and Leningrad (St Petersburg). We send our heartfelt best
wishes and greetings to you and all your veteran colleagues.
Chris King
National President
Russian Convoy Club of New Zealand
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