Arbroath war hero honoured by Russia for ‘exceptional bravery’
ByRichard Watt
David Duke toasts his Ushakov Medal with Russian Consul General Andrey Pritsepov.
A Tayside war hero, who helped Russia stem the tide against the Nazis during the Second World War, has been thanked by the country’s consul general.
David Duke served as an able seaman on the Oribi during two parlous crossings between Britain and Russia in 1943 and 1944.
He received Andrey Pritsepov and other members of the Edinburgh consulate to his Arbroath home, where he was presented with the Ushakov Medal.
Mr Pritsepov told Mr Duke: “I, the consul general of the Russian Federation, am privileged and honoured to present you with the highly esteemed Russian military award, the Ushakov Medal, for your exceptional bravery and valour shown in combat during the Second World War.”
He was also given a “personal gift”, a plate bearing a Russian cityscape.
Mr Duke made the passage to Russia twice in the darkness of the Arctic winter and said to the envoy he had “told no one” about the details of his service.
Arbroath war hero honoured by Russia for ‘exceptional bravery’
