Ron Syson was presented with this special Royal Naval Association (RNA) membership in honour of his service in the Merchant Navy in WW2. To celebrate his life The Veteran UK organised a podcast to be made, with RNA members, Bill Oliphant and Michael Davis-Marks interviewing Ron for the first time has told his extraordinary story to the public.
During the war, Ron tried to join the Royal Navy at the age of 14 and was, rightly, told to go back home to his mother. He didn’t. He ended up in Hull on a Norwegian vessel, the Astrid, which was subsequently involved in the Arctic Convoys and many other voyages in the war effort. By the age of 18, Ron had survived 10 arctic convoys and 12 Atlantic Convoys before the Astrid was finally sunk.
“All these years I have kept it all in my head. If you haven’t been involved in a bombing raid or a war you wouldn’t believe it.”
Ron’s resilience and humility are a living testament to the bravery of those who served during the darkest chapters of modern history.
Joined by Bill Oliphant, General Secretary of the Royal Naval Association, this podcast episode of Veteran Voice brings together two generations of service, sacrifice, and support. Ron shares his extraordinary life story, joining the Merchant Navy at just 14, braving wartime convoys, multiple missions to Moscow, and even a meeting with Vladimir Putin.
Alongside him, Bill Oliphant highlights the ongoing work of the RNA to support today’s veterans and serving sailors, carrying forward the same spirit of brotherhood that sustained Ron and so many others. This is more than a podcast—it’s living history and a call to remember the past while continuing to serve those who served.
Link to podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYtCt9Pd6tY&list=PLf8gYhVb5wL3Xrpgsg_ZbTYMS3YQanNck
