D-Day veteran celebrates 103rd birthday

6 hours ago

News image — James Laughlin was one of about 17,000 marines who contributed to D-Day,

BBC James Laughlin wearing a green beret, light green jacket and striped tie sits indoors beside a table lamp, with greeting cards displayed on a cabinet in the background. — James Laughlin was one of about 17,000 marines who contributed to D-Day,

A former Royal Marine commando who helped clear mines from a Normandy beach during D-Day is celebrating his 103rd birthday.

James Laughlin was one of 17,000 Royal Marines involved in D-Day. Armed only with a knife between his teeth, he swam to Gold Beach to clear mines that posed a danger to landing craft.

Natacha Atkinson, manager of Belvedere care home in Accrington, Lancashire, where the veteran lives, described him as "cheeky".

"He's very strong-willed as well," Atkinson said. "He likes being in his hundreds. He's amazing for 103."

Laughlin seated indoors beneath large gold “103” balloons, wearing a green beret, light green jacket and striped tie, with birthday cards displayed on a cabinet and a lit table lamp in the background. — Care home manager Natacha Atkinson said Laughlin is "quite mischievous"

D-Day was the largest seaborne invasion in history and marked the start of the campaign to liberate north-west Europe from Nazi occupation.

Laughlin said he threw pebbles at mines on the beach to set them off.

Born in Leeds, he served between 1941 and 1945. A plasterer by trade, he returned to the profession after leaving the Royal Marines before later settling in Accrington.

Two years ago, Laughlin, who described his time in Normandy in 1944 as "just a day's work", was presented with replacement medals after his originals were stolen.

Atkinson said a BBC News report about the theft led to Laughlin being reunited with his sister after the pair had lost contact.

"She has been to visit him a few times," she told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"She is quite elderly herself and has her own health problems, but it is nice when she comes."

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