Above: RCCNZ member Pen Moore lays a wreath on behalf of the Russian Convoy Club of New Zealand during the Commemoration Service held at the National War Memorial Wellington on 9 May 2011 in conjunction with the Embassy of the Russian Federation.
 

Above: RCCNZ President Chris King welcomes guests and veterans during the Commemoration Service held at the National War Memorial Wellington on 9 May 2011 in conjunction with the Embassy of the Russian Federation.
 

Above: Commodore John Martin representing the Chief of Navy, lays a wreath on behalf of the Royal New Zealand Navy during the Commemoration Service held at the National War Memorial Wellington on 9 May 2011 in conjunction with the Embassy of the Russian Federation.
 

Above: The Hon. Judith Collins MP, Minister of Veterans Affairs addresses the Commemoration Service held at the National War Memorial Wellington on 9 May 2011 in conjunction with the Embassy of the Russian Federation.

Above: 25 April 2011 On behalf of RCCNZ member Bill Gallie, Derek Whitwam presents the Russian Convoy Club plaque to his son David at the Anzac Day Dawn Ceremony held at the Cenotaph in Central, Hong Kong

Above: March 2011 RCCNZ member Bill Gallie displays one of three plaques he presented to Russian Ambassador Andrey Tatarinov, President of the Russian Convoy Club of New Zealand Chris King and webmaster David Whitwam.
 

Above: March 2011 Russian Ambassador to New Zealand Andrey Tatarinov displays the RCCNZ plaque presented to him by RCCNZ member Bill Gallie. President of the RCCNZ Chris King (HMS Bluebell) looks on.

Above: March 2011 Russian Ambassador to New Zealand Andrey Tatarinov, along with Chris King (HMS Bluebell) President of the RCCNZ, displays the RCCNZ plaque presented to him by RCCNZ member Bill Gallie.

Above: November 2010 Russian Ambassador to New Zealand H.E. Andrey Tatarinov attend the Christmas 2010 function of the Russian Convoy Club of New Zealand and assist in cutting the ceremonial Christmas cake. Derek Whitwam looks on.
 

Above: November 2010. Russian Ambassador to New Zealand H.E. Andrey Tatarinov attend the Christmas 2010 function of the Russian Convoy Club of New Zealand.

Above: November 2010. Len and Mary Burton listen intently to Commodore Ross Smith discussing the recent deployments of offshore patrol vessels HMNZS Wellington and HMNZS Otago. Len and Mary donated the Christmas cake (above).

Above: May 2010. Veterans of the Arctic Convoys assembled for a remembrance commemoration at the Wellington waterfront, adjacent to the Arctic Convoy memorial plaque. Following the commemoration service, veterans were invited to the Russian Embassy, Wellington. In this image, veterans and their families witnessed the cutting of a commemorative cake by the Ambassador H.E. Andrey Tatarinov and his wife Natasha.
 

May 2010. Veterans of the Arctic Convoys assembled for a remembrance commemoration at the Wellington waterfront, adjacent to the Arctic Convoy memorial plaque. Following the commemoration service, veterans were invited to the Russian Embassy, Wellington. In this image, veterans and their families were entertained to a buffet lunch by the Ambassador, H.E. Andrey Tatarinov.

Above: May 2010 Veterans of the Arctic Convoys assemble for a remembrance commemoration at the Wellington waterfront, adjacent to the Arctic Convoy memorial plaque. Among those present were: the Rev. Jim Pether; Commodore Bruce Pepperell  (Deputy Chief of Navy,  Royal New Zealand Navy); Rear Admiral Ian Hunter, CB, RNZN, Ret. (representing the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association); Ian Dymock (representing the Merchant Navy Association);  and a representative of the Master Mariners' Association.
 

Above: May 2010 Veterans of the Arctic Convoys assemble for a remembrance commemoration at the Wellington waterfront, adjacent to the Arctic Convoy memorial plaque. In this image, veterans Pen Moore (right) and Derek Whitwam laying a wreath on behalf of the Russian Convoy Club of New Zealand.
 

May 2010. Veterans of the Arctic Convoys assemble for a remembrance commemoration at the Wellington waterfront, adjacent to the Arctic Convoy memorial plaque. In this image, the gathering is addressed by Commodore Bruce Pepperell, Deputy Chief of Navy, Royal New Zealand Navy.

May 2010. Veterans of the Arctic Convoys assemble for a remembrance commemoration at the Wellington waterfront, adjacent to the Arctic Convoy memorial plaque. In this image, the gathering is addressed by the Hon. Melissa Lee, representing the Minister of Veterans Affairs

Above: May 2010 Veterans of the Arctic Convoys assemble for a remembrance commemoration at the Wellington waterfront, adjacent to the Arctic Convoy memorial plaque. In this image, the gathering is addressed by Chris King, President of the Russian Convoy Club of New Zealand (right) and veteran Stan Douglas who recited a poem written by him for the event.

Above: May 2010 A group of Arctic Convoy veterans attend the presentation ceremony of the 65th Anniversary Medal on Friday 7 May 2010. Medals were presented by Russian Ambassador to New Zealand H.E. Andrey Tatarinov (standing back row third from right). Medal details available here.

Above: February 2010 Russian Convoy Club of New Zealand life member Rear Admiral David Ledson  RNZN (Ret.) chats with HRH Prince William during a visit to Wellington. The Prince took part in a wreath laying ceremony at the National War Memorial. New Zealand Prime Minster John Key is in the background.
 

Above: Thursday 26 November 2009: Chris King, National President of the Russian Convoy Club of New Zealand carefully attends to the commemorative cake presented during the 2009 Christmas veterans' function held at the Levin Branch of the Returned and Services Association. 

Above: Thursday 26 November 2009 Russian Ambassador to New Zealand, His Excellency Andrey Tatarinov cuts the commemorative cake during the Russian Convoy Club of New Zealand's function at the Levin branch of the Returned and Services Association. He is watched by Chris King, National President of the Russian Convoy Club of New Zealand.

Above: Tuesday 9 June 2009 Russian Convoy Club members were among guests invited by the Russian Ambassador attending the celebrations held at the InterContinental Hotel in Wellington, on the occasion of Russia's National Day and the 65th anniversary of the establishment of Russia-New Zealand Diplomatic Relations. In his speech Ambassador Andrey Tatarinov, spoke about Russia's progress since Federation and also mentioned the sacrifices made by servicemen and women during the Arctic Convoys between 1941-1945. The Hon. Mrs Georgina Te Heuheu QSO, replied on behalf of the New Zealand Government.
 

Above: Group Captain Ramsbottom-Isherwood DFC AFC Order of Lenin. Sailed on convoy "Dervish" with a squadron of Hurricane fighters to North Russia. Born in New Zealand in 1905 and served with the New Zealand Rifles prior to joining the Royal Air Force in 1930. Lost his life whilst test flying a Meteor jet fighter in 1950. Refer also: RAF Hurricanes in Russia and No. 151 Wing Royal Air Force

Above: May 2009 The annual commemoration for those lost at sea on Arctic Convoys during World War II was held in Wellington on Friday 8 May 2009. Due to inclement weather, the service was held at the Wellington Museum of City and Sea, in the Board Room of the former Wellington Harbour Board. Wreathes were laid by the Russian Ambassador to New Zealand, representatives of the Merchant Navy Association, Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association, Wellington City Council, Ministry for Veterans Affairs, Wellington Russian Community, Royal New Zealand Navy and the Russian Convoy Club of New Zealand. ! See further story here.
 

Above: May 2009 Due to inclement weather, the annual commemoration for those lost at sea on Arctic Convoys during World War II was held at the Wellington Museum of City and Sea. Wreathes were laid by the Russian Ambassador to New Zealand, representatives of the Merchant Navy Association, Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association, Wellington City Council, Ministry for Veterans Affairs, Wellington Russian Community, Royal New Zealand Navy and the Russian Convoy Club of New Zealand. Afterwards, guests enjoyed lunch and lively discussion! See further story here.

Above: November 2008 RCCNZ President, Chris King and Andrey Komyukhin of the Russian Embassy cut the cake at the 2008 Christmas Party of the Russian Convoy Club of New Zealand held at the Levin RSA clubrooms on 27 November 2008. The cake was donated by RCCNZ member Len Burton and the Palmerston North Naval Association.
 

Above: October 2008 RCCNZ member Allan Gore s presented with Russia's 60th Anniversary medal by Russian Ambassador Mikhail Lysenko at the  Returned and Services Association clubrooms in Geraldine, South Island. Sadly, Allan passed away shortly afterwards, in October 2008 Photo courtesy of RSA Geraldine.

Above: 21 August 2008 RCCNZ member Derek Whitwam (right) and  Darren Hughes, MP for Otaki and Deputy Leader of the House of Representatives share a toast during the meeting of the Russian Convoy Club of New Zealand.

Above: 30 May 2008 Russian Ambassador to New Zealand H.E. Mikhail Lysenko and his wife Liudmila, together with Embassy staff, members of the Russian Convoy Club of New Zealand and friends at the recent 60th Anniversary medal presentation to Warren Searell on behalf of his late father Harvey, who served on escorts taking supplies to north Russian ports during WW2.