Tributes have been paid to a Flintshire resident and World War II Arctic Convoy hero who has died at the age of 98.

Former Signalman Bernard Gough was part of what wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill described as one of the most hazardous missions ever undertaken by the Royal Navy.

Mr Gough was awarded The Medal of Ushakov by the Russian Embassy, in addition to his Arctic Star Medal, for his valiant role in the Arctic Convoy.

He died at Wrexham Maelor Hospital just weeks after celebrating his 70th wedding anniversary with his wife, Gwynydd, 95, at Pendine Park’s Cae Bryn care home in Wrexham.

The funeral service and cremation are set to take place on December 2, at 2pm, at Flintshire Memorial Park.

Family flowers only have been requested, with donations welcomed in Mr Gough's memory to North West Cancer Research, Mold Branch, and Dementia UK.

Pendine Park proprietor Mario Kreft MBE said: "Everyone here at Pendine who encountered him was honoured to meet Bernard.

"He was a real hero, through his war record, his work ethic and his devotion to his family who we know will miss him greatly.

"We offer our heartfelt condolences to them."

Cae Bryn Unit manager Emma George added: "We were all very sad to hear of Bernard’s passing.

"He was a devoted husband and we all enjoyed his visits here to see Gwynydd.

"We fondly remember the 70th anniversary celebrations as being a jubilant day for the family.

"We were thrilled to be a part of it."

Bernard Gough with wife, Gwynydd  (Image: Supplied)

Mr Gough joined up as a boy sailor at the age of 16 and went on to serve in the perilous assignment.

The Arctic Convoy was a dangerous mission in which relays of merchant ships and navy vessels faced freezing storms and icy seas while delivering more than four million tons of supplies to Russia.

In 2022, Mr Gough had the honour of being invited as a VIP to the opening of a permanent Arctic Convoy exhibition at the Western Approaches Museum in Liverpool.

Mr Gough went to the commemorative exhibition opening with his son Ian Gough and daughter Sandra Percival, who both said it was an unforgettable day for their father.

Interviewed on the occasion, Mr Gough told journalists that he agreed with Churchill’s assessment that the Convoy journeys were ‘the worst in the world’.

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The museum has sent its formal condolences to Mr Gough’s family and has included an official photographic tribute to him on its Facebook site.

Mr Gough grew up in Handbridge, Chester, with his family, including his brother Stanley, who served as a Mosquito navigator during the war.

Following the war, he returned home and got a job in Hoole before being recruited by BICC cables in Chester.

Ian, a retired computer software salesman, and his sister retired civil servant Ms Percival, said their parents’ meeting was a romantic story.

Ms Percival said: "Dad was working at offices in Lower Watergate Street, Chester, and Mum was working for Crosville in Chester around the same time.

"She used to get the train to Chester and then walk to the Crosville depot.

"Her route went by Dad’s office and he spotted her through the window several times.

"It got so that he used to look out for her and one day he plucked up the courage to ask her out."

The couple got married at St Mary’s Church, Handbridge, on September 25, 1954, but they first lived at The Towers in Penyffordd, Flintshire.

They then moved to Lache Hall Crescent, Chester, before buying a home in Maxwell Close, Buckley, where they lived for many years.

Enquiries can be made to Peter Morris Funeral Directors, Chester Street, Mold, who can be contacted on 01352 700142.