Well-wishers from across the North West turned out to celebrate the birthday of a Second World War veteran.
James Laughlin, a Royal Marine, was involved in the D-Day landings and, armed only with a knife, he swam to Gold Beach to clear mines. Codenamed Operation Neptune, the D-Day landings took place in 1944 and were the largest seaborne invasion in history.
The Accrington Royal British Legion joined the James Garnett Foundation at a special birthday celebration at Belvedere Residential Care Home in Accrington on Friday (October 16).
Mr Laughlin, known to many as Jim, chatted to every single visitor and thanked them for attending his birthday party. He was presented with birthday cards and presents by guests who were keen to spend a few moments with a ‘living legend'.
Mr Laughlin was born in Leeds, served between 1941 and 1945 and went on to become a plasterer after leaving the Royal Marines.
He said he was ‘delighted’ so many people turned out.
Mr Laughlin still had a firm grip and was keen to let people know.
He also told guests: “See these hands, I can still hit.
“Even at school we were taught with these.”
He also showed off his language skills and said he had picked up quite a few words over the years, to ‘get him by’.
“I can still use them, if I want to. Muchas Gracias!”
Manager at Belvedere Residential Care Home, Natacha Atkinson, said: “Celebrating Jim’s 103rd birthday has been an absolute honour for all of us at Belvedere.
“Jim has truly shaped our home, helping us become a recognised veteran-friendly care home and inspiring us every day with his incredible stories and spirit.
“We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us to make this milestone so special—especially our friends from Accrington RBL, the James Garnett Foundation, and the East Lancashire Hospital Trust. It was a wonderful day for a truly remarkable man.”
Secretary of the Accrington Royal British Legion branch, Kate Rigby, said: “We were honoured to be invited by the care home.
“We get involved as much as we can when they have veteran status.
“He is such a lovely man, and he deserves it.
“He would be the oldest veteran around we have.
“He talked to us about the friends he had and how it was a brotherhood.
“We have had half a dozen of our members turn up, which was great.”
Mr Laughlin had been invited to Fleetwood Rugby Club for an event honouring four Second World War soldiers. He had already attended a Royal Marine medal repatriation in Blackpool.
Charles Sandback of the James Garnett Foundation said: “He does get about. We invited him last time and he attended and we are hoping very much he will be returning again.”
The group endeavours to ensure the preservation of the memory of those ‘who fell for the cause of democracy and freedom’. On occasion, the foundation represents those who have been completely forgotten and facilitates official services of remembrance.
In 2024, Mr Laughlin was presented with his new medals by Lt Col Ralph Assheton, a deputy lieutenant for Lancashire, after his original ones were stolen.
His medals had been on the wall of his home before a neighbour noticed they had gone missing.
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