Following my story about the Battle of the Atlantic a few weeks ago I have received a letter from Claude Ernest Houghton of Dallin Road, Bexleyheath.

Mr Houghton, a Royal Navy veteran, has been presented with the Arctic Star.

Claude writes: “I received a call from a secretary at 10 Downing Street inviting me to meet the Prime Minister David Cameron, who was giving the awards.

“This was followed by the presentation of the Ushakow Medal and Dagger by President Putin of Russia.

"There were 21 veterans in the conference room and each one received our medals with a handshake from the Prime Minister and Mr Putin.”

May I, on behalf of readers of the News Shopper, congratulate Claude and his colleagues.