Overview

• Dougie Shelley joined the Royal Navy at 17 and served as a seaman gunner on Arctic Convoys, on HMS Milne at D-Day and in Hong Kong when Germany surrendered
• Mr Shelley has no known surviving family and will mark his 100th birthday on September 23 with support from carers and veterans’ groups
• John Hawes, chairman of the Southend Royal Naval Association branch, is inviting well-wishers to send cards to 73-79 East Street, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 6LQ
• Volunteers will gather and collate the cards at the branch before revealing them to Mr Shelley at his birthday party alongside a homemade Victoria sandwich cake
• The branch plans to present Mr Shelley with a bottle of Pusser’s Rum as part of the community-led celebration