THE sole remaining survivor of a ship torpedoed during the Second World War has been presented with a medal for his role.

Jack Humble, from Neville’s Cross in Durham City, was part of the Arctic Convoys, which saw the Royal Navy journey from Loch Ewe in Scotland to Russia to supply England’s ally with necessary war supplies.

The 90-year-old has now been presented with the Ushakov Medal by representatives from the Russian Embassy.

Mr Humble was an 18-year-old gunner on the destroyer HMS Mahratta, which was torpedoed on February 25, 1944. The ship was fatally damaged and sank near Bear Island with only 17 survivors out of a 246 man crew.

He survived the freezing water after being covered in oil, which insulated him from the cold, and was picked up by another ship.

He is now the sole remaining survivor of the destroyer and every year makes the pilgrimage to Loch Ewe to lay a poppy wreath in memory of those who died.

Mr Humble said: “It was a great honour. I was delighted to receive it. I didn’t cry but I did have a lump in my throat. It’s very special.”

After returning to Britain Mr Humble left the navy and joined the Parachute Regiment, serving in Denmark and Palestine until his discharge in 1947.

Following the war he ran a successful furniture with his late wife Kathleen, before retirement.