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RBLI at Aylesford campaigning for cards for D-Day veteran Tommy Trotter, isolated by coronavirus, for his 100th birthday

A campaign is on to give a 100th birthday boost for a war hero cut off by the pandemic.

D-Day veteran Tommy Trotter was hoping to celebrate at his local bar but now has to mark his big day alone.

Mr Trotter today with his wartime cap and medals. Picture:Royal British Legion Industries
Mr Trotter today with his wartime cap and medals. Picture:Royal British Legion Industries

He has been in isolation since last March so Aylesford-based Royal British Legion Industries is encouraging people to send him a birthday card for the day, February 10.

A spokesman said: "You can make his day special. Imagine how loved Tommy would feel."

Mr Trotter lives in Stockton-on-Tees in County Durham.

He served in the Second World War, landing on the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944 as part of the Allied invasion of occupied France.

Mr Trotter went on to receive the Légion d'honneur, France's highest military honour.

Mr Trotter, who now has dementia, would usually enjoy telling stories of his past his local bar, the Don War Memorial Bar in Stockton.

Mr Trotter during the war. Picture:Royal British Legion Industries
Mr Trotter during the war. Picture:Royal British Legion Industries

He loves nothing more than settling down with a pint of John Smith's and a Sunday Roast.

Bar owner Julia Cooper had organised a special celebration for his birthday including a regimental guard of honour.

The dragging on of coronavirus made that impossible so Ms Cooper resorted to social media to ask the public to send him 100th birthday cards.

The RBLI got in touch with Ms Cooper after hearing of the project from a group called the Champions of Our Tommy Club.

It has created a card that people can print and send, writing their own messages, or post their own.

The RBLI card you can send to Mr Trotter. Image from Royal British Legion Industries
The RBLI card you can send to Mr Trotter. Image from Royal British Legion Industries

The RBLI one can be downloaded for free from its online shop rbli.shop

Post your cards to this address: Tommy Trotter, The Last Post, Cranworth Street, Thornaby TS17 7DR.

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