Russia honours Irish Arctic convoy hero
Andrei Nikeryasov, a senior diplomat from the Russian Embassy in Dublin, travelled to Cork’s City Hall to present a special medal, struck by a decree of the president of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev, to 93-year-old John Hallahan from Turner’s Cross in the city.
He is one of just three surviving Irish ex-service men who took part in the daring Arctic convoys.
“You are considered a real hero in our country for serving in the famous and very dangerous northern convoys,” Mr Nikeryasov said.
“You rescued thousands of lives. We will never forget you. We shall remember you forever for your brave and noble exploits.”
Mr Hallahan was in the Royal Navy from 1938 until 1950 and served from 1940 to 1942 as a boiler room technician on board the Devonshire cruiser. It helped secure safe passage for the convoys, bringing vital arms, food and medical supplies to the Soviet ports of Murmansk and Archangel.
Mr Hallahan had to ensure the Devonshire’s engines kept running and that steam was constantly available despite freezing temperatures.
Treacherous ice floes, mine fields and attacks from German submarines and aircraft were a constant threat.
Because of Mr Hallahan’s recent ill-health, Mr Nikeryasov travelled to Cork to present, in the company of Lord Mayor Cllr Dara Murphy, the medal which marks the 65th anniversary of the end of the Great Patriotic War.
Children from the Cork Russian School, founded by Tania Zhinzhina, also presented Mr Hallahan with flowers and a piece of Russian soil.
His daughter, Clare, said her family is extremely proud of his achievements.
“We are in awe of his humanitarian efforts. He is one in a million,” she said.
Former submariner, Ronald Erridge, the secretary of the Royal Naval Association in Cork and County, said the life expectancy of a convoy sailor who fell into the water was just one minute.
“Few people could accept that without the strength of character that John has. We are so proud of him.”
In an interview five years ago, Mr Hallahan said: “It was a tricky job alright. But we survived. I had youth on my side. And with 1,000 crew we had great company on board.”
Mr Hallahan left the navy in 1950 and worked at the Whitegate Oil Refinery for 25 years. He has been married to his wife, Peggy, for 57 years.
The Russian Federation will present similar medals to George Edward Jones and Geoffrey Medcalf in the embassy in Dublin early next month. The medals will also be presented to relatives of Norman Sparksman, who died earlier this year, and to the family of Thomas O’Neill, who died in 2008.
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