"Wag" Haw & Order of Lenin

[Fairlop]

Hi,

Charlton Haw was one of four members of the 151 Wing to receive Order of Lenin from the Soviets. Could he potentially take advantage of some privileges when in USSR ? I believe I read somewhere something about free urban transport ticket, or yearly rent etc. ...

Regards,
Michal

[Larry]

I think being greeted and treated as a 'Hero of the Great Patriotic War' was a reality for any veterans returning to the USSR and I have heard similar stories of RN Sailers and Merchant Seamen who sailed on the Arctic Convoys getting the same treatment in Leningrad in 1970-80s (now St Petersburg). But now that the USSR is no more I think the chances of an official reception and or free passes are much less, though there are now many of the younger generation in Russia who would be interested in meeting any old timers still with us today.