A BOLTON MP has written to the Prime Minister to persuade him to allow the Russian government to award a medal to a Bolton war hero.

Bolton North East MP David Crausby wrote the letter as the daughter of another borough veteran also joined the campaign.

The Bolton News reported how Westhoughton resident David Tonge, aged 87, had been denied the chance of receiving the Ushakov Medal for his service on the Arctic convoys during the Second World War.

Mr Tonge had, at the age of 17, served aboard the destroyer HMS Venus, helping to keep open vital supply lines between the Western allies and the Soviet Union while coming under constant aircraft and u-boat attack.

But the Foreign Office blocked the award, claiming he had already been honoured with the Atlantic Star—a British medal which honours those who fought at sea.

Now MPs including Mr Crausby have signed an early day motion asking for the decision to be reversed, with Bolton West’s Julie Hilling — who is not allowed to sign the motion because she is a party whip — also pledging her support.

Mr Crausby’s letter to David Cameron said: “I strongly believe that our veterans of the Arctic campaign deserve to be allowed to accept an honour from Russia.

“It was the most punishing and hazardous situation faced by sailors and they should be recognised for their bravery.”

After reading the original story in The Bolton News, Sally Faulkner of Seaford Road, Harwood, wrote to Mr Crausby revealing that her father Derek Bennett had also served in the Arctic convoys.

Mr Bennett, who died in 2010 at the age of 86, lied about his age and joined the Royal Navy at the age of just 15, serving as a gunner aboard the aircraft carrier HMS Chaser.

He never spoke about his experiences in the war until shortly before he died, but photographs he had taken with brief notes written on the back paint a picture of a young life embroiled in the turmoil of conflict.

He was part of the convoy which saw the destruction of the British battleship HMS Hood by the Bismarck, and was also in Japan for the Japanese surrender, to coming under Kamikaze attack in the Far East.

One photograph appears to show half an aircraft with the words “suicide bomber hitting side of ship” written on the back.

Mrs Faulkner said: “He didn’t tell us a lot about the Russian Convoys.

“His wellingtons used to freeze to his feet and he had terrible varicose veins in his legs.

“His feet had swollen up in later life to the point where he couldn’t get his shoes on.”

Mr Bennett was awarded the Atlantic Star for his service at sea, something which Mrs Faulkner said he wore with pride, and she now wants to see him receive a posthumous Ushakov medal.