THEIR bravery and sacrifice was every bit as great as those who served on the front lines, yet the hardships they faced became part of a forgotten war.
Now those who served on the Artic convoys during the Second World War are to finally have a permanent memorial at the place where so many of their perilous journeys set sail.
Loch Ewe was the base for more than half of the Arctic Convoys going to the northern reaches of the Soviet Union with supplies during the Second World War.
It became a strategic gathering place for the Allies' merchant fleets, and home to other defence and training facilities.
Now a series of interpretation sites and public artworks, including four figures, are planned to commemorate its role in the war.
The convoys faced many dangers
Heritage consultant Helen Avenell is co-ordinating the project, known as Blazing a Wartime Trail around Loch Ewe, for the Russian Arctic Convoy Museum (RACM) in Aultbea.
She said: "George Milne, ex-chairman and long-time volunteer with RACM, realised the need to illuminate the hidden history of Loch Ewe's wartime story and the crucial role that the Arctic Convoys played in the Second World War.
READ MORE: Veterans head to Arctic Convoys commemoration
"For a long time this history remained hidden, specifically because of the Cold War.
"The landscape around Loch Ewe is littered with wartime remains, but for many people, they are an enigma.
"George and the team wanted to share the stories of how the local community and landscape was shaped by the war."
During World War II the Arctic Convoys sailed from the United Kingdom, Iceland and North America to ports in the Soviet Union, primarily Archangel and Murmansk in Russia. Cargo included tanks, fighter planes, fuel, ammunition, raw materials, and food.
There were 78 convoys between August 1941 and May 1945, taking supplies to the Soviet forces in the Arctic Circle. About 1,400 merchant ships were involved in the missions, escorted by ships of the Royal Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, and the U.S. Navy.
Loch Ewe was a temporary base of the Home Fleet during World War II and was also used as an assembly point for convoys.
READ MORE: Arctic convoys veteran honoured 75 years on
In total, 104 Allied merchant ships were sunk with the Arctic convoys, along with 18 warships; 829 merchant mariners and 1,944 navy personnel were killed aboard them. Russia lost 30 merchant ships and an unknown number of personnel.
Conditions were atrocious
Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill, called their missions the "worst journey in the world".
Various remains of the convoy's port are still visible around the Loch, including gun emplacements, anti-submarine boom defence system and even a cinema hall.
Many sailors spent years campaigning for a medal, a wish finally granted in 2012.
The project, supported by Highland Council and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, has also included artist-led sessions with all three local primary schools.
Ms Avenell said: "The children had a visit from local RACM volunteers to talk to them about the war and the story of Loch Ewe's importance.
READ MORE: Ceremony honours veterans of Arctic convoys
"They drew pictures based on their learning which the artists combined into the designs for mosaic panels.
"The children then completed the mosaics in their schools with artists Carola Smith and Sally Purdy over a period of about two months."
Alongside the landscape panel and mosaic trail, there will be a leaflet and map for visitors to follow.
Ms Avenell said: "It's a piece of Scotland's hidden history.
"Local communities have been very enthused by the project, and we hope the panels will also direct NC500 visitors to explore the landscape."
"For a long time this history remained hidden"
The Arctic Star was awrded in 2012
However, while the sculpture plan is going ahead, a planned commemoration event to mark the 75th anniversary of the convoys in May has been re-scheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
More than 200 families of the surviving and deceased sailors were expected to attend, along with four Russian World War veterans.
The event is now scheduled to take place on Saturday, 26 September at Loch Ewe.
Event coordinator John Casson, co chairman of the Russian Arctic Convoy Project, said: "However, circumstances mean we have no alternative to re-arranging the event. We must put the health of our veterans at the forefront of our thinking."
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