James Litchfield served with Fleet Air Arm in the Arctic on aircraft carrier HMS Furious. He was an Engine Room Artificer ” – “Leading Hand Stoker.” Aircraft from Furious attacked the Tirpitz.
He received medals from USSR and Russian Federation, the latter handed to him by the Russian ambassador in London in a ceremony for British veterans. His son Keith secured the Arctic Star for his widow, Margaret. James died just too soon to receive the Ushakov Medal, which was announced at same time as the Star, but only available to living veterans.
After the Furious he served on the Fleet Air Arm repair & supply ship HMS Deersound in the Far East.
After the war, James returned safely to his wife and 3 year old son, Michael, who he had last seen as a baby when on leave from the Furious.