THE Neilston War Memorial Association has been praised in the Scottish Parliament for raising awareness of veterans and their bravery.

West Scotland MSP Paul O’Kane submitted a motion congratulating the charity after a civic reception took place in the village to pay tribute to 96-year-old Roy Elwood, who was among a group of British sailors who rescued 500 Norwegians from under the noses of the Nazis in 1945.

They were taken to a refugee camp in Neilston, where they lived before returning home at the end of the Second World War.

Roy, who served on one of three rescue vessels, the HMS Zambesi, was the guest of the Neilston War Memorial Association.

He risked his life on the Russian Arctic convoys, famously labelled the “worst journey on earth” by Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

During the civic reception attended by the Provost of East Renfrewshire, Jim Fletcher, Roy was also presented with a commendation from the Mayor of Soraya, by Paul O’Kane.

Mr O’Kane said: “Neilston gave refuge to many of those rescued.”