Centenarian D-Day Veteran Receives Over 1,000 Birthday Cards

Jim Grant, a D-Day Royal Navy veteran, has been sent over 1,000 birthday greetings globally, despite telling his granddaughter he anticipated few cards for his 100th birthday. Mr. Grant, who assisted in safeguarding troops during the 1944 Normandy landings, also celebrated his birthday with an unexpected party attended by family and friends in Stowmarket, Suffolk. The celebration commenced upon Mr. Grant’s arrival at the United Reformed Church in the town, where he was welcomed by standard bearers from the Royal British Legion. School children subsequently performed songs for him. Additionally, armed forces representatives were present to hand over Mr. Grant’s official service history and to extend their congratulations on his centenary milestone. Mr. Grant, who holds the position of honorary president for the Royal Naval Association in Stowmarket, commented: “I’m absolutely amazed because I never expected any of it. The singing was fantastic, the children were very good and I’m feeling great.” Heather Freer, his eldest daughter, stated: “This has come as a complete surprise to him and he thought he was going to a normal tea and biscuits morning. “He’s a D-Day veteran and he was a Royal Marine on a landing craft operating the big guns to protect the troops that were landing. The whole family is very proud of him.” Robert Bellfield, the Royal Navy regional commander for London and eastern England, remarked: “He was a gunner on a landing craft and they really didn’t know what to expect, how much opposition they would have or even what the depth of water was. “I take my hat off to him and to everybody who served with him during that period.” Michelle Frost, who organized the event, commented: “He fought for our freedom and he’s truly a lovely and wonderful man.”She added: “He told his granddaughter he didn’t think he would receive many cards to mark his 100th birthday so we put out a request on social media and we have now received more than 1,000 cards from people in the community, from New Zealand, France, Scotland and all over the world and there are more coming in.” Mr. Grant, whose birthday falls on December 20, stated that he attributes his longevity to no particular secrets, explaining that he “just takes things as they come.”