A WAR hero is devastated after being told he cannot collect a medal for his bravery serving on the Arctic convoys during the Second World War.

Fred Henley, 89, from Clacton, was one of about 200 men awarded the Medal of Ushakov by the Russian Embassy for his help in transport crucial supplies to Russia during the conflict.

But he has now been told he cannot be given the medal for valour from the wartime ally after the Foreign and Commonwealth Office refused to seek permission for ex-servicemen to accept or wear them.

More than 3,000 men died during the notoriously perilous sea campaign, which saw convoys ferry supplies and weapons to the Soviet Union to fight Nazi Germany.

Mr Henley, who sereved on board HMS London as a seaman age just 17, said: “In September 1941 we took a convoy to Arkhangelsk and it was pretty rough - we had a couple of attacks by German bombers and there were U-boats present. I remember it was damn cold.

“We lost thousands of men and hundreds of ships in the convoys. The Russians want to give us this medal, but our own Government want to stop it - it is very disappointing. It is a slap in the face.”

A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: “We very much appreciate the Russian Government’s wish to recognise the brave and valuable service given by veterans of the Arctic Convoys.

“However, the rules on the acceptance of foreign awards clearly state that in order for permission to be given for an award to be accepted, there has to have been specific service to the country concerned and that that service should have taken place within the previous five years.

“Additionally, permission cannot be granted if they have received, or are expected to receive, a UK award for the same services.

“All British Veterans of the Convoys were eligible for the WW2 Atlantic Star. Additionally, a lapel badge – the Arctic Emblem – was introduced in 2006 and some 10,000 have been issued.”