Fife war hero Thomas Lawson has died at the age of 89.
A former gunner on HMS Undaunted, Mr Lawson, from Kirkcaldy, was one of around 66,000 sailors who took part in the Arctic Convoy missions, braving perilous, sub-zero conditions to help the Soviets fend off German advances by supplying them with arms and ammunition during the Second World War.
Mr Lawson received the Arctic Star medal in 2013 following a 70-year campaign by veterans to recognise the efforts of all seamen on the convoys.
The father-of-two received a second military honour, a Ushakov medal, one of Russia’s most highly respected military decorations, last November.
Russia’s consul general Andrey Pritsepov presented the medal during a special visit to Elizabeth House Care Home in Kirkcaldy, where Mr Lawson lived.
Daughter Lynne said: “Dad was a hard-working man who lived for his family and he will be missed so very much. He was a private person and very modest about his time in the navy.
“In fact, it was only in recent years that we realised how much of a hero he was and we were so proud of him when he received his Arctic Star medal and then the Ushakov medal.”
Mr Lawson was born in Newburgh. He moved to Kirkcaldy at a young age with his parents Thomas and Cecilia and his siblings Jenny and Harris, both now deceased, and William, who lives in Burntisland.
Mr Lawson attended Gallatown Primary School and Viewforth High School.
He joined the navy as a gunner at the age of 18.
After his service he worked as a handyman, in demolitions and as a delivery driver.
Mr Lawson is survived by daughters Anne and Lynne, grandson Mark and granddaughter Yvonne.