Dunkirk veteran celebrates 104th birthday
Jack Beavon marked his 104th birthday with a joint remembrance and birthday event at his care home in Kidderminster
At a glance
Dunkirk veteran Jack Beavon has celebrated his 104th birthday at his Worcestershire care home
He is one of Britain's oldest remaining World War Two veterans
Other veterans, friends and family gathered for a joint remembrance and birthday event
Mr Beavon's family say he's a "real character with a wicked sense of humour"
- Published
A veteran of the Dunkirk rescues during World War Two has been joined by family and friends to toast his 104th birthday.
Other ex-service personnel also turned out at Brook Court care home in Kidderminster for Jack Beavon's joint remembrance and birthday event.
The celebration featured a bugler, along with renditions of Happy Birthday and God Save the King.
Mr Beavon served in the Army throughout the war, and was evacuated from Dunkirk.
He signed up to the 7th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment, external at the outbreak of war in 1939 and served in France.
His son-in-law Roly Taplin said: "He was also in Germany after the war and later in Ireland - he's got some tales to tell."
But Mr Beavon was more modest, playing down his military career.
"It was part of life at the time. Some were lucky, some were very unlucky. I didn't really play a big part," he told BBC Hereford & Worcester.
Jack Beavon's birthday is the day before Armistice Day
Describing him as the "life and soul of the party", Sue Simpkins from the care home said the retired soldier "makes the most of every day and is always good with the ladies".
Mr Taplin added: "Jack's a real character - he's got a wicked sense of humour and is devoted to his family. But he's very humble and doesn't like the limelight. He just gets on with life."
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