The efforts of the Merchant Navy in taking vital supplies from Britain to Murmansk in Russia may have taken place over 60 years ago, but to retired pensioner Fred Crawford, the rigours of the Arctic Convoys are still very much fresh in his mind.

Fred was just 21 when he first sailed out to Murmansk on the tanker San Ambrosio. The convoys were famously described by Winston Churchill as 'suicide missions', with ships facing attack from above and below. The ships were shadowed by U-Boats, destroyers and the Luftwaffe. Many seamen were killed and many ships sunk, while those who survived had to contend with freezing conditions and the constant fear of being killed or maimed in an attack.

Fred, who had been on previous expeditions to South Africa and Argentina prior to the voyages, didn't know what to expect initially. But the full chilling impact would soon be felt.

He said: "It was hell, no other word can describe it. You were under constant threat from air and sea. In the Arctic you only got a certain amount of daylight, but to be honest we all prayed for the darkness. That was how bad it was.

"The Merchant Navy lost more men than the three services put together. It was so cold that if you ended up in the water you would be dead within three minutes. None of us knew what we were getting into - but we soon found out." One such convoy wasn't supposed to be even going to Russia - but plans to sail to New Zealand were changed at the last minute. However, he admits the second voyage - this time on the Empire Redshank - was a lot easier.

He continued: "I was fortunate that there was another boy from Muirkirk with us - William McDougall. So it was him and me together the whole trip, virtually side-by-side. We had about 48 of a crew, including the gunners. Although it was easier the second time, it was still frightening because you're spending all that time at sea with nowhere to run!" The full death toll of the Arctic convoys was highlighted by Fred when he said that out of 36 ships that sailed to Murmansk, only 11 returned home. And for Fred and the crew of the San Ambrosio, staving off German fire was just one of their duties. He said: "We came under attack but thankfully we managed to get through. The Germans were fly, though. We were going round the coast and when we went round two planes circled by every day till it came to dusk and they suddenly disappeared. However, they might have disappeared but another two ships suddenly came round and opened fire on us." There are some happy memories and a great tale to tell as a full 30 years after the convoys, Fred made a startling discovery.

He explained: "I worked at Hoggs the Baker in Muirkirk after the war and the bloke that came from Glasgow to Muirkirk to be my boss worked with me for years and we didn't know that he was alongside the oil tanker I was on. "For some reason we got talking about the war and I mentioned that I had been on the convoys. He suddenly asked what ship I was on and when I told him it was the San Ambrosio he told me he had been sailing alongside throughout the journey. I couldn't believe it!

" It took us a full 32 years after the war to meet up." Fred had the opportunity to retell some of his amazing memories at the recent Armed Forces Day in Muirkirk. The 89-year-old, despite having difficulties walking, was able to take a front row seat during the big event. His recollection of those events from over 60 years ago gained the admiration of Scottish Parliament Press Officer Andrew McFadyen, who is making a bid to be the succcessor to Cathy Jamieson at the next parliamentary elections.

They say people should never forget the sacrifices made and Fred certainly never forgets the sacrifices he made as he said: "It cost me nothing to sail around the world - although it nearly cost me my life!"