Latest news with #RoyalNavalAssociation
ITV News
8 hours ago
- General
- ITV News
Appeal for cards to mark Southend Royal Navy veteran's 100th birthday
A branch of the Royal Naval Association is appealing for well-wishers to send 100th birthday cards to a Second World War veteran who served in the Arctic Convoys to make his surprise celebration extra Shelley, who joined the Royal Navy aged 17, served as a seaman gunner and said earlier this year: 'There's not many of us left.'The sailor, of Southend in Essex, was on a ship in Hong Kong when news came through of Germany's surrender, and said in a previous interview that it 'couldn't have been better'.'The war killed so many people it's unbelievable,' he said. 'All around, the Americans, Russians, all the Allies, the same with the Germans.'But you were doing a job, the same as they had to. It's either kill or be killed.'When we heard about victory in Europe, everybody got together and we all had a good old drink up and jolly up, and couldn't welcome it much better.'Mr Shelley, who has no known surviving family, will turn 100 on September Hawes, chairman of the Southend branch of the Royal Naval Association, is appealing for people to send birthday cards for Mr Shelley, which will be collated at the local branch and shown to him at a party on the day. The 76-year-old said Mr Shelley was the branch's 'last Arctic convoy veteran and also he was at D-Day'.Mr Shelley's carer Paul Bennett said Mr Shelley was on the HMS Milne on D-Day 'supporting the chaps going off to land in craft ashore in Normandy and he was a gunner keeping the skies clear of enemy aircraft'.Mr Hawes said the veteran had previously been the local branch's chairman, secretary and treasurer but 'as he got older he had to stop some of those jobs'.'He's always been there, he's always got a smile, he always wants to chat,' he said.'He really deserves something, he has been one of our founder members way back in 1980 I think it was when the actual club opened.'He's always been with us on the Remembrance Sunday in his wheelchair and somebody's pushed him up to the cenotaph at Southend.'He is hoping to collate at least 100 birthday cards for Mr Shelley.'I think he's going to thoroughly enjoy it, he really will, he'll be over the moon,' said Mr Hawes.'Dougie always likes to let everybody know he's there and this will blow his socks off I think.'Mr Hawes, who was a chef and baker on the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle, is to make Mr Shelley's birthday cake – a Victoria said Mr Shelley 'does like his tot of rum' and that this would be offered to guests, with a bottle of Pusser's Rum presented to the Hawes asked for birthday cards for Mr Shelley to be sent to the Royal Naval Association club, 73-79 East Street, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS2 6LQ.
BBC News
8 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Birthday cards appeal for Southend navy veteran turning 100
An appeal for people to send 100th birthday cards to a World War Two veteran has been issued in a bid to make his big day extra special. Dougie Shelley joined the Royal Navy at the age of 17, serving as a seaman gunner, and said earlier this year: "There is not many of us left."The sailor, from Southend-on-Sea, was on a ship in Hong Kong when the news of Germany's surrender filtered through."When we heard about Victory in Europe, everybody got together, and we all had a good old drink up and jolly up," he said. The Southend branch of the Royal Naval Association has issued the appeal for Mr Shelley, who will turn 100 on 23 John Hawes, 76, said Mr Shelley was the branch's "last Arctic convoy veteran, and also he was at D-Day".Mr Hawes, who was a chef and a baker on aircraft carrier HMS Eagle, will make Mr Shelley's birthday cake – a Victoria sandwich. Paul Bennett, Mr Shelley's carer, said he was on HMS Milne on D-Day "supporting the chaps going off to land in craft ashore in Normandy, and he was a gunner keeping the skies clear of enemy aircraft".Mr Shelley said: "The war killed so many people, it's unbelievable... the Americans, Russians, all the Allies, the same with the Germans."But you were doing a job, the same as they had to. It's either kill or be killed."Mr Hawes said the aim was to collect at least 100 cards, which will be shown to Mr Shelley on his birthday, and he asked for them to be sent to the Royal Naval Association at 73-79 East Street, Southend SS2 6LQ. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Appeal for 100th birthday cards to celebrate Southend Second World War veteran
SOUTHEND'S Royal Naval Association is hoping to make a Second World War veteran's 100th birthday extra special with cards from the Essex public. Dougie Shelley, who joined the Royal Navy aged 17, served as a seaman gunner and said earlier this year, 'There's not many of us left.' The sailor, of Southend, was on a ship in Hong Kong when news came through of Germany's surrender, and said in a previous interview that it 'couldn't have been better'. Mr Shelley, who has no known surviving family, will turn 100 on September 23. Thank you - Dougie Shelley joined the Royal Navy aged 17 and served as a seaman gunner (Image: PA) John Hawes, chairman of the Southend branch of the Royal Naval Association, is appealing for people to send birthday cards for Mr Shelley. The cards aim to make his surprise celebration extra special, with all cards collated at the branch and shown to him at a party on the day. The 76-year-old said Mr Shelley was the branch's 'last Arctic convoy veteran and also he was at D-Day'. Speaking on his time in the Royal Navy, Mr Shelley said: 'The war killed so many people it's unbelievable. 'All around, the Americans, Russians, all the Allies, the same with the Germans. 'But you were doing a job, the same as they had to. It's either kill or be killed. 'When we heard about victory in Europe, everybody got together and we all had a good old drink up and jolly up, and couldn't welcome it much better.' Celebrate - Southend's branch of the Royal Naval Association is appealing for people to send birthday cards for Mr Shelley (Image: PA) Mr Shelley's carer Paul Bennett said the ex-veteran was on the HMS Milne on D-Day 'supporting the chaps going off to land in craft ashore in Normandy". Mr Shelley was a gunner "keeping the skies clear of enemy aircraft'. Mr Hawes said the veteran had previously been the branch's chairman, secretary and treasurer but had to give up the jobs as he got older. Mr Hawes said: 'He's always been there, he's always got a smile, he always wants to chat. 'He really deserves something, he has been one of our founder members way back in 1980 I think it was when the actual club opened. 'He's always been with us on the Remembrance Sunday in his wheelchair and somebody's pushed him up to the cenotaph at Southend.' Mr Hawes is hoping to collate at least 100 birthday cards for Mr Shelley. He added: 'I think he's going to thoroughly enjoy it, he really will, he'll be over the moon. Milestone - Mr Shelley will turn 100 on September 23 (Image: PA) 'Dougie always likes to let everybody know he's there and this will blow his socks off I think.' Mr Hawes, who was a chef and baker on the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle, will bake a special Victoria sandwich cake for Mr Shelley's birthday. He said Mr Shelley 'does like his tot of rum' and that this would be offered to guests, with a bottle of Pusser's Rum presented to the veteran. Birthday cards for Mr Shelley should be sent to the Royal Naval Association club, 73-79 East Street, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS2 6LQ.
Wales Online
16 hours ago
- General
- Wales Online
The wonderful 100th birthday appeal for a World War II veteran
The wonderful 100th birthday appeal for a World War II veteran The Royal Naval Association are trying to arrange a special surprise for Dougie Shelley, who will turn 100 in September War veteran Dougie Shelley (Image: PA Wire/PA Images) A branch of the Royal Naval Association is calling for the public to send 100th birthday cards to Second World War veteran who served in the Arctic Convoys to make his surprise party even more memorable. Dougie Shelley, who joined the Royal Navy at just 17, served as a seaman gunner and said earlier this year: "There's not many of us left." Mr Shelley, who has no known surviving family, will celebrate his 100th birthday on September 23. The Southend resident was stationed on a ship in Hong Kong when news of Germany's surrender reached them, and he previously stated that it "couldn't have been better". "The war killed so many people it's unbelievable," he said. "All around, the Americans, Russians, all the Allies, the same with the Germans. But you were doing a job, the same as they had to. It's either kill or be killed. "When we heard about victory in Europe, everybody got together and we all had a good old drink up and jolly up, and couldn't welcome it much better." John Hawes, chairman of the Southend branch of the Royal Naval Association, is urging people to send birthday cards for Mr Shelley. Article continues below These will be gathered at the local branch and presented to him at a celebration on his special day. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here Second World War veteran Dougie Shelley in his younger years (Image: PA Wire/PA Images) The 76-year-old chairman described Mr Shelley as the branch's "last Arctic convoy veteran and also he was at D-Day". Mr Shelley's carer Paul Bennett said Mr Shelley was on the HMS Milne on D-Day "supporting the chaps going off to land in craft ashore in Normandy and he was a gunner keeping the skies clear of enemy aircraft". Mr Hawes said the veteran had previously served as the local branch's chairman, secretary and treasurer but "as he got older he had to stop some of those jobs". "He's always been there, he's always got a smile, he always wants to chat," he said. "He really deserves something, he has been one of our founder members way back in 1980 I think it was when the actual club opened. "He's always been with us on the Remembrance Sunday in his wheelchair and somebody's pushed him up to the cenotaph at Southend." He is hoping to gather at least 100 birthday cards for Mr Shelley. "I think he's going to thoroughly enjoy it, he really will, he'll be over the moon," said Mr Hawes. "Dougie always likes to let everybody know he's there and this will blow his socks off I think." Mr Hawes, who worked as a chef and baker on the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle, is to prepare Mr Shelley's birthday cake – a Victoria sponge. Article continues below He said Mr Shelley "does like his tot of rum" and that this would be offered to guests, with a bottle of Pusser's Rum presented to the veteran. Mr Hawes asked for birthday cards for Mr Shelley to be sent to the Royal Naval Association club, 73-79 East Street, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS2 6LQ.
North Wales Chronicle
a day ago
- General
- North Wales Chronicle
Appeal for 100th birthday cards for Second World War veteran
Dougie Shelley, who joined the Royal Navy aged 17, served as a seaman gunner and said earlier this year: 'There's not many of us left.' The sailor, of Southend in Essex, was on a ship in Hong Kong when news came through of Germany's surrender, and said in a previous interview that it 'couldn't have been better'. 'The war killed so many people it's unbelievable,' he said. 'All around, the Americans, Russians, all the Allies, the same with the Germans. 'But you were doing a job, the same as they had to. It's either kill or be killed. 'When we heard about victory in Europe, everybody got together and we all had a good old drink up and jolly up, and couldn't welcome it much better.' Mr Shelley, who has no known surviving family, will turn 100 on September 23. John Hawes, chairman of the Southend branch of the Royal Naval Association, is appealing for people to send birthday cards for Mr Shelley, which will be collated at the local branch and shown to him at a party on the day. The 76-year-old said Mr Shelley was the branch's 'last Arctic convoy veteran and also he was at D-Day'. Mr Shelley's carer Paul Bennett said Mr Shelley was on the HMS Milne on D-Day 'supporting the chaps going off to land in craft ashore in Normandy and he was a gunner keeping the skies clear of enemy aircraft'. Mr Hawes said the veteran had previously been the local branch's chairman, secretary and treasurer but 'as he got older he had to stop some of those jobs'. 'He's always been there, he's always got a smile, he always wants to chat,' he said. 'He really deserves something, he has been one of our founder members way back in 1980 I think it was when the actual club opened. 'He's always been with us on the Remembrance Sunday in his wheelchair and somebody's pushed him up to the cenotaph at Southend.' He is hoping to collate at least 100 birthday cards for Mr Shelley. 'I think he's going to thoroughly enjoy it, he really will, he'll be over the moon,' said Mr Hawes. 'Dougie always likes to let everybody know he's there and this will blow his socks off I think.' Mr Hawes, who was a chef and baker on the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle, is to make Mr Shelley's birthday cake – a Victoria sandwich. He said Mr Shelley 'does like his tot of rum' and that this would be offered to guests, with a bottle of Pusser's Rum presented to the veteran. Mr Hawes asked for birthday cards for Mr Shelley to be sent to the Royal Naval Association club, 73-79 East Street, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS2 6LQ.
