Care home veteran who served in Dunkirk celebrates his 103rd birthday

John (Jack) Jeffrey Beavon, from Brook Court care home in Kidderminster who served in Dunkirk and is one of the only survivors left has celebrated his 103rd birthday with family and friends.

Mr Beavon was part of the Dunkirk operation where an evacuation of more than 338,000 Allied soldiers during WWII took place between 26 May and 4 June 1940.

The operation took place after large numbers of Belgian, British, and French troops were cut off and surrounded by German troops during the six-week Battle of France.

Now at the age of 103, Mr Beavon who resides at the care home with his wife Winifred says that his secret to a long and happy life is “don’t take things too seriously" and "get yourself a good wife and family to share your memories with.”

Mr Beavon was born on 10 November 1919 in Wolverhampton and moved to Stourbridge when he was two years old. Attending school in Oldswinford in Stourbridge, he went on to join the army where he served in Dunkirk.

He met his wife at the same period in Kent and they married shortly after before returning home together to Stourbridge.

After returning home from active service, Mr Beavon and his wife lived with friends for some time before the pair moved into their first home in 1950.

Together, the couple went on to have two daughters, Janis and Christine, three grandchildren, Adam, Alex and Becky and four great grandchildren Freddie, Neil, Jack, Tate and Oliver.

'Jack’s wonderful outlook on life never fails to make us smile'

Marking the special milestone with a host of plans, including arranging a trip down to one of Mr Beavon’s favourite cafés, the team went above and beyond to ensure he enjoyed a celebration to remember.

With a slice of birthday cake and plenty of special gifts on the day, the team threw Mr Beavon a big party and organised a surprise lunch at Brook Court where he was joined by his family.

Nirmala Rattu, home manager at Brook Court, said: “Everyone had a wonderful time celebrating Jack’s birthday, and he was particularly pleased to see his family surprise him for lunch.

“Jack has been living with his wife Winifred at Brook Court for just over a year now, and it’s fair to say the home wouldn’t be the same without the pair. Jack’s wonderful outlook on life never fails to make us smile and his quick wit definitely keeps us on our toes!

“Here at Brook Court, we always strive to make an occasion of birthdays, and Jack’s 103rd was no exception. We had great fun decorating the home and baking him a special birthday cake.”

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