A Very Russian Decoration

Binfield RBL must add many congratulations to member Ron Miller, who has attended the Russian Federation Embassy in London to be decorated with the Ushakov Medal for the part he played in escorting WWII convoys through ice, air raids, surface and U-boat attacks on the perilous journey through the Arctic to supply the Soviet ports of Murmansk and Archangel.

Ron served in the Royal Navy as an Able Seaman torpedo electrician aboard the cruiser HMS Diadem, one of the most experienced warships to be deployed on what Winston Churchill described as "The worst journey in the world". Shipmate Ron, aged 90, is also a valued member of the Bracknell Branch of the Royal Naval Association, and was himself escorted to the Russian Embassy in Kensington to receive the Ushakov award, the highest in the Russian Navy, from the Russian Ambassador.

To add to an already impressive total of decorations, Ron has now received the French government award of Chevalier of the Legion of Honour, in recognition of his service aboard Diadem at the D-Day landings in Normandy, 1944.

All the more remarkable is that Ron is the second Binfield RBL member to receive this prestigious award, the first being ex-'Desert Rat' Len Burritt, which is surely a proud achievement for a small village branch.

                            Mr. R.S.Privett and Mr. W. (Bill) Holmes

It has been proposed by Binfield RBL Committee that the memories and dedication of both former Branch President Bill Holmes and former Branch Chairman Bob Privett should be honoured by the unveiling of plaques bearing their names in the garden of the village Memorial Hall. A short ceremony will be announced when arrangements are concluded.

Bracknell Branch of the Royal Naval Association will also hang a framed photograph of Bob Privett in the function room of Binfield Club, where the Branch holds its meetings.

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