Remembering bravery of a teenage sailor from Bognor

A teenage sailor's bravery in some of the second world war's harshest conditions has been finally recognised in Bognor Regis.

The efforts of Les Jones in serving as a gunner on the Arctic convoys resulted in an Arctic Emblem being presented to his daughter.

It was an emotional and proud moment for Sue Hull when she received the emblem from MP Nick Gibb at the town's RAFA Club.

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The emblem was awarded by the government only a few years ago after a fierce campaign by the surviving veterans who had missed out on formal recognition for their work in keeping the vital supply route to Russia open.

Mrs Hull said her father was a boy sailor on HMS Berwick during 1941-43. He faced the constant threat of death from German bombers and the hostile conditions.

"It's wonderful to get the emblem on his behalf," said Mrs Hill, 57,

the deputy welfare officer of the RAFA Bognor branch, who lives

in Waterlooville.

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"I'm proud to be remembering my father and what he did for this country. I shall be wearing the emblem at service events.

"When you think of what he was facing at 17, you wonder how many of today's 17-year-olds would go through that," she stated. "If he had fallen overboard, the life expectancy in the icy sea would have been a matter of seconds. But my father never talked about that side of his life. I had no idea about it."

Mr Jones went on to become a navy diver in the Portsmouth area. He died 13 years ago. His widow lives in Southbourne.

Mr Gibb said: "We owe our freedom and quality of life in this country today to those who fought in the second world war. We can't do enough to recognise that."

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