Two Elmbridge residents were among World War II veterans presented with medals at Downing Street commemorating their service in the Arctic Convoy campaign and Bomber Command.

Peter Banting, 89, of Matham Road, East Molesey, was one of 24 veterans awarded the Bomber Command Clasp by the Prime Minister David Cameron on Tuesday, March 19.

Bomber Command operated from the first day of the war to the last and, of the 125,000 aircrew who served in the command, 55,573 were killed.

Speaking about receiving his clasp, Mr Banting said: “It meant a great deal. It was a wonderful occasion and it was like a big party.”

The veterans were invited to the RAF Club in London for a gathering and reception and were then taken to Downing Street by coach.

Mr Banting explained the veterans then went upstairs inside Number 10 to a big reception room and the Prime Minister came in and gave a heartfelt speech about what the veterans had done.

Mr Banting said: “It was quite memorable and enjoyable. We then went into the next room and the Prime Minister circulated and sat next to me.

“It was a tremendous day. They did it so well and it went very smoothly.”

On the same day, Kenneth Scatchard, from Walton, who was part of the Arctic convoy, was one of 41 surviving veterans presented with the Arctic Convoy Star medal by the Prime Minister.

Described by Winston Churchill as the worst journey in the world, the Arctic convoys of World War II saw ships of the Royal and Merchant Navies make perilous journeys in sub-zero temperatures to ensure vital supplies reached Russian shores.

In his speech at the ceremony, Mr Cameron said: “I’m only sorry that it’s taken 70 years to get you here and to say thank you for what you did.

“You were involved in the most important struggle of the last 100 years, when you were supplying one of our allies in that battle to defeat Hitler and to defeat fascism in Europe.

“And you showed incredible bravery; incredible courage; against extraordinary odds.

“So from the bottom of my heart a really big thank you not just from me but from everyone in our country for what you did in those incredibly difficult days, incredibly difficult years, against such appalling odds.”