A NEWPORT man who was awarded the Arctic Star Medal earlier this year has died.

Francis Spendelow, known as Frank, died aged 96, following an illness at St Anne's Hospice, Newport.

Mr Spendelow, of Ringwood Avenue, Newport, served 19 years in the Royal Navy and was awarded the medal as recognition of his Royal Navy service on convoys to Russia during the Second World War.

He received the award nearly 70 years after the end of World War Two for his service spent above the Arctic Circle.

In 1933, aged 17, Mr Spendelow joined HMS Ganges where he was trained up and in 1934 he joined the battleship HMS Nelson.

Throughout his career he worked on numerous ships, including the aircraft carrier Ark Royal and progressed to the position of Yeoman of Signals.

In 1952 he officially finished his service with the Navy.

When he left the Navy, he continued his work in the sea by helping set up the Newport Sea Cadets, which he worked with for 40 years.

Mervyn Reece, 75, from Cwmbran, who has known Mr Spendelow for more than 30 years through the sea cadets described him as a “lovely chap.”

His funeral will be held at the Gwent Crematorium, Croesyceiliog, Cwmbran on August 29 at 3pm, followed by a gathering at Greenmeadow Golf Club.

Family request that no dark colours are worn and no flowers.

Donations can be made to either Torfaen or Newport Sea Cadets or St Anne's Hospice.