The Royal Naval Association is appealing for well-wishers to send 100th birthday cards to a Second World War veteran who has no known surviving family. Dougie Shelley, who served in the Arctic Convoys, will turn 100 on 23rd September and organisers want to make his surprise celebration extra special.
Shelley joined the Royal Navy aged 17 and served as a seaman gunner during the war. The veteran said earlier this year: "There's not many of us left." The Southend resident was on a ship in Hong Kong when news came through of Germany's surrender, describing the moment as something that "couldn't have been better".
Wartime service and memories
Shelley served on HMS Milne during D-Day, with his carer Paul Bennett explaining he was "supporting the chaps going off to land in craft ashore in Normandy and he was a gunner keeping the skies clear of enemy aircraft". John Hawes, chairman of the Southend branch of the Royal Naval Association, said Shelley was the branch's "last Arctic convoy veteran and also he was at D-Day".
Reflecting on the war, 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 victory in Europe was announced, he recalled: "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."
Birthday card appeal
Hawes is organising the card collection, hoping to gather at least 100 birthday cards which will be presented to Shelley at a party on his birthday. The 76-year-old described Shelley as someone who "always has a smile" and "always wants to chat".
The veteran previously served as the local branch's chairman, secretary and treasurer, though "as he got older he had to stop some of those jobs". Hawes 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."
Celebration plans
Hawes, who served as a chef and baker on aircraft carrier HMS Eagle, will make Shelley's birthday cake - a Victoria sandwich. The celebration will include Pusser's Rum for guests, with a bottle presented to the birthday veteran who "does like his tot of rum".
Birthday cards should be sent to the Royal Naval Association club, 73-79 East Street, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS2 6LQ. Hawes believes: "I think he's going to thoroughly enjoy it, he really will, he'll be over the moon. Dougie always likes to let everybody know he's there and this will blow his socks off I think."
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
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