Jim and Olly to join National Veterans’ Day celebrations

9:53pm Saturday 3rd May 2008

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Jim Baker and Olly Shillitoe, both from Blackpool, are the old and young faces of National Veterans' Day.

They both fought in war zones while still teenagers, both live in the resort, and both joined the police after leaving the armed forces, but are 61 years apart in age.

Jim, 85, and Olly, 24, will play key roles in the celebrations surrounding National Veterans' Day on Friday, June 27.

Jim, who served in the Royal Marines during the Second World War, received a Distinguished Service Medal for his part in the D-Day landings.

He was in charge of a small assault boat in the first wave of landings in Normandy, and his was the only boat out of a flotilla of 24 to make it to the beach.

Jim, who was 18 at the time, was badly injured by a mortar explosion but still did 22 more landings with the Americans.

He said: "It's absolutely marvellous that National Veterans' Day will be in Blackpool. Some people think Blackpool is just about candyfloss, but it has a strong ex-services community."

After the war, Jim worked as a police officer, firefighter, publican, and security guard.

He is president of the Fylde Ex-Services Liaison Committee, which is organising National Veterans' Day with Blackpool Council, and president of the Blackpool Royal Marines Association.

Olly, now a Police Community Support Officer, joined 12 Regiment Royal Artillery at the age of 16 and served for six years.

He spent four months at the age of 19 patrolling the streets of Basra and guarding prisoners of aar during the coalition invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Olly said: "It's good to remind people that veterans are not only old, but there are lots of young people who have served their country."

Blackpool Veterans' Week will run from running from 21-29 June.

Highlights of the festivities will include a night time parachute drop onto the beach, military land, sea and air displays, the opportunity to get up close to vintage vehicles, veterans' badge presentations and an evening parade.