A KENDAL war hero who died 20 years ago has been awarded the Arctic Star medal posthumously for his service.

Richard Hodgson served on the Arctic convoys during the Second World War.

His daughter Margaret, 68, of Murley Moss, received the Arctic Star through the post last week after applying for it last year.

“I was very pleased and excited,” she said.

“Like a lot of people who have seen active service, my father didn’t talk too much about it.

“I knew he was in the Royal Navy but I wasn’t sure if he was on the Arctic convoys.

“I heard about these medals last year and sent off an application form – the MOD have done their own searches and it looks like he did.”

Richard joined up early in 1939, just before the start of the war, and served until 1948.

Towards the end of WWII he served on a minesweeper, helping to keep waterways clear of naval mines, for which he also received a medal.

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When the war ended Richard lived in London for a while and worked at a power station, before moving back to Kendal in 1953 and working at Scottish and Newcastle Breweries.

He died in August 1994 at the age of 74.

The Arctic Star medal is awarded for any length of service above the Arctic Circle by members of the British Armed Forces.