Thought members might like to hear about our oldest member here at Wigan Armed Forces HQ. James is just a few weeks short of his 99th birthday and is currently in Normandy as a guest of the Royal Navy for the D Day celebrations. He joined the Royal Marines in 1943 aged 18 and after initial training became a landing craft crewman. On D Day his LCA was with HMS Glenroy and he was the aft deck crew member. His craft was one of the first to land on Gold Beach prior to the main assault, as it dropped off a party of Commando Engineers. Their job was to dismantle beach obstacles. The LCA was on its way back to HMS Glenroy when the naval bombardment opened up. They were then tasked to pick up American infantry from a US ship and ferry them to Omaha beach. After assisting the landings they spent the next 10 days on duties in the beach head area until HMS Glenroy struck a mine on the 17th. The crew were recued by a Liberty boat and returned to Portsmouth. This was not the end of the war for James as he then went to Italy training French Marines for the assault on Southern France. He then sailed on a cruise ship full of wounded to Australia where he trained landing craft crews for the assault on Papua New Guinea. We can't wait for James to return next week so we can hear all about his trip. Derek
A super story here, with super folks within, of how James came to make his visit to Normandy this year. So many good folks who've helped make it possible. Hats off to all. https://www.wigantoday.net/news/peo...ar-veteran-hoping-to-return-to-france-4272332 Kind regards, always, Jim.
Some great photographs, and audio, of James and other veterans here, courtesy of The Telegraph. What happened on D Day? Heroes share their remarkable tales Kind regards, always, Jim.
Just wanted to wish James a Happy Birthday as he is 99 tomorrow, Tuesday 29th. Sadly James will be spending his birthday in hospital receiving treatment for ulcerated legs but we hope to see him back at the HQ soon. Some of our navy veterans will be visiting him tomorrow with a cake. Happy Birthday James
It is my sad duty to report that Marine James Belcher died this week aged 99. He had recovered from his stint in hospital and attended the last 2 Friday Brunches at Wigan Armed Forces HQ. There will be a short memorial service for him this Friday at the HQ. I am honoured to have known him and he will be sorely missed by us all.
