After reading in the Town Crier last September, when the late Fred Ernest Allen’s daughter accepted an Arctic Convoy war medal on his behalf for his service during the Second World War, local resident Margaret Bolton from Plevna Mews was highly delighted to receive a letter and a medal recently from the Ministry of Defence Medal Office in recognition of her father’s similar service throughout the war.
Michael Laheney was awarded the Arctic Star campaign medal for his service on the Arctic Convoys in World War Two.
Michael volunteered when the war broke out.
As well as the Arctic convoys, he saw action all over the world while stationed on destroyers Asbury, Onslaught and Domett.
This latest medal will go alongside the five other campaign medals already awarded to him, which are with his eldest grandson, also called Michael Laheney, who lives in Bristol.
In August 1949, Michael Snr was awarded the 1939-45 Star, the Atlantic Star with clasp ‘France & Germany’, the Africa Star, the Italy Star and War Medal 1939-45.
Before the war, Michael lived in Byerley Road, Shildon, where Redworth House now stands.
After his heroics in the war, Michael sadly died far too early, in 1952, when he was just 46 years old.
Margaret said she is extremely proud of her father’s role in protecting the country in the war and she will treasure the medal and letters forever.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
