Forgotten war hero from North Wales who survived bombs, bullets and freezing Arctic storms

Winston Churchill called it one of the most dangerous missions ever undertaken by the Royal Navy. Between 1941 and 1945 more than 3,000 Arctic Convoy seamen were killed as supply freighters ran the gauntlet of German U-boats and aircraft.

Among those to survive the bombs, bullets and ice was a North Wales Signalman who joined the Royal Navy as a boy sailor. Bernard Gough was aged just 16 when he signed up for the war effort in 1942.

Several years ago he was presented by the Russian Embassy with the Medal of Ushakov, a special honour given by Russia to Arctic Convoy veterans. This took pride of place with his Arctic Star service medal at his Flintshire home.

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Bernard is now making his final voyage after passing away at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, aged 98. His death came just weeks after he and wife Gwynydd, 95, celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary at Pendine Park’s Cae Bryn care home in Wrexham where she now lives. He was described as a “real hero” by Pendine Park owner Mario Kreft.

After Hitler invaded Russia in 1941, Soviet leader Josef Stalin asked the allies for help sourcing food and ammunition. The route through Norway and the Arctic Circle was the quickest way to get the crucial cargo to the Russian ports of Murmansk and Archangelsk - but it was also the most fraught with danger.

A total of 78 convoys made the perilous trips to northern Russia, usually in terrible conditions. Bernard would later agree with Churchill’s assessment that the missions were “the worst in the world”. During the Cold War that followed, the contributions of the Merchant Navy and Royal Navy were forgotten. Only more recently have their exploits been recognised.

He grew up in Handbridge, Chester, and returned there after being demobbed following the Second World War. Also serving in the conflict was brother Stanley, who served as a Mosquito navigator. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone

After being recruited by BICC cables in Chester, he met his future wife in what their family says was a truly romantic story. Daughter Sandra Percival, a retired civil servant, said: “Dad was working at offices in Lower Watergate Street, Chester, and Mum was working for Crosville around the same time.

“She used to get the train to Chester and then walk to the Crosville depot. Her route went by Dad’s office and he spotted her through the window several times. It got so that he used to look out for her and one day he plucked up the courage to ask her out.”

Married at St Mary’s Church, Handbridge, on September 25, 1954, the couple first lived at The Towers in Penyffordd, Flintshire. After a brief spell back in Chester, they bought a home in Maxwell Close, Buckley, where they lived happily for many years.

Decades later, in 2022, Bernard was a VIP invitee at the opening of a permanent Arctic Convoy exhibition at the Western Approaches Museum in Liverpool.

This once housed an underground bunker which played a pivotal role in protecting Britain’s sea supply routes. The exhibition was created to honour and pay tribute to the heroism and sacrifice of all who took part in the convoys.

Mr Kreft said: “Everyone here at Pendine who encountered him was honoured to meet Bernard. He was a real hero, through his war record, his work ethic and his devotion to his family who we know will miss him greatly.”

As well as Sandra, Bernard leaves a son Ian Gough, a retired computer software salesman. The funeral service and cremation is on Monday, December 2, 2pm, at Flintshire Memorial Park.

There will be family flowers only but donations may be given in Bernard’s memory to North West Cancer Research, Mold Branch, and Dementia UK. Enquiries to Peter Morris Funeral Directors, Mold, on 01352 700142. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox

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