War veteran receives belated medal
The Port Edward resident was applauded for risking his life.
MICK Tyass (92) of Port Edward has, 63 years after the fact, been awarded the Medal of Ushakov for outstanding courage and bravery displayed during World War Two.
As a token of gratitude, president of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, sent Colonel Nikolay Tsybulya, Naval Attache of the Russian Embassy, and Andrey Shanin, first secretary of the Russian Embassy, to present Mr Tyass with the prestigious medal.
The small ceremony was conducted by the local Ancient Mariners at Sappers Glen in Uvongo last Friday.
During the war, Mr Tyass was deployed on arctic convoy duty to Russia. He was only 19 years old at the time.
He was a petty officer who served aboard the HMS Echo Pennant H23 Destroyer from 1941 to 1942.
He was part of the screen for HMS Edinburgh, escorting the Russian Convoy PQ6 to Kola Inlet, then escorting the return Convoy QP4 to Scapa Flow.
Mr Tyass is one of only 200 brave heroes still alive and able to receive the medal.
The Ushakov Medal is named after Russia’s Admiral Fyodor Ushakov, who once fought alongside admiral Lord Nelson, who never lost a battle at sea.
Winston Churchill, the Prime Minster of Britain at the time, made it clear that, in his opinion, these convoys were among the most dangerous and difficult sea voyages in (his) living memory, due to the harsh weather, never mind the German U-boats and aircraft bombers.
Col Tsybulya said the Russian people thanked Mr Tyass for his help and contribution to what was ultimately a great victory.
Reflecting on his time in the navy, Mr Tyass said he joined the Royal Navy in Simon’s Town in 1939.
“I was young and it was a great adventure. I am receiving this medal on behalf of all my shipmates who didn’t make it back to Britain,” he said.
Interestingly, he has fond memories of Just Nuisance, the famous Great Dane, who was the only dog ever to be officially enlisted in the Royal Navy.
Andrew Murray, president of the local Ancient Mariners, said that 30 000 merchant seamen and 3 000 Royal Navy personnel from different Allied countries perished in those dark waters.
“We owe so much to those young heroes as they changed the course of history,” he said.
