THE family of a former Royal Marines Band member, who served at sea during the Second World War, are celebrating him being posthumously awarded an Arctic Star medal.

Joffre Swales was one of many young men to experience first-hand the dangers of life at sea aboard the Arctic convoys.

As a member of the Royal Marines Band, Joffre was on board to raise the spirits of sailors making the arduous journey to transport essential supplies to Russia, which had been completely blockaded by German forces.

But life was anything but entertaining on board, as Joffre and his fellow musicians lived every day in fear of attack from German U-boats and aircraft intent on stopping supplies reaching Russia.

Joffre returned to Pembrokeshire in 1945, at the end of the war, and until his death in 2002 supported the efforts of the Arctic Convoy Club to secure a campaign medal for those who served above the Arctic Circle.

Now, his contribution to the war effort has been recognised with an Arctic Star medal – which was formally approved by the Queen in 2013.

His grandson, William Joffre Shewry, applied for the medal on behalf of the family.

Pat Swales Barker, Joffre’s daughter, said the family was delighted to see her father honoured with the medal, despite it being ‘almost 70 years late’.

“I'm sure that my father would have been pleased that we felt it was important that we should apply for the medal,” she said.

As well as serving his county, Joffre also served Pembrokeshire well, both at the helm of the family music shop Swales, and as a music teacher.

For more than half a century Joffre attended every Remembrance Sunday commemoration at the Haverfordwest cenotaph, and - whether directing the British Legion Band, the Mary Immaculate Band or the Haverfordwest Town Band - he and the players provided the solemn music and Last Post for the important annual service.

His lifelong passion for music and helping the community was recognised in the 1970s, when he was awarded an MBE.

Pat said her father’s time aboard the convoys helped shape him as a musician, and as a man.

“He made a lot of good friends during war and gained so much experience from playing with all these incredible musicians,” said Pat.