With regard to the wearing of the Arctic Star (“Wearing the Emblem” comment page in August), I, John Hobbs, along with a few other Russian Convoy veterans have been actively involved in the nine-year campaign led by Cdr Ed Grenfell to obtain recognition for service on wartime convoys to North Russia from 1941 to 1945 for both Royal and Merchant navies.
It was finally agreed to award an emblem in the shape of a small star rather than a medal.

At one of the several meetings with the then Defence Minister, John Reid, that Cdr Grenfell attended the wearing of the emblem was discussed at length.
Dr Reid said that he would not prohibit the wearing of the emblem on the ribbon of the 1939/45 Star or the Atlantic Star – it appears that the MOD have now gone back on this.