A NAVY veteran has been awarded a lifetime membership to the Royal British Legion for his 44-years of service.

Jack Shaw Robinson of Loweswater Avenue in Tyldesley, who has been the secretary and treasurer of the Tyldesley branch of the Royal British Legion for 18 years, was celebrated with a civic reception this month, held at Leigh-based charity Compassion in Action on Leigh Road.

The 79-year-old signed up to the Royal Navy in 1955 and served for seven years overseas in Cyprus and Egypt, during the Suez Canal crisis, and was on reserve for a further decade.

Jack later joined the RBL in 1972 and has been awarded a General Service Medal and the Pingat Jasa Malaysia medal for his service in the country.

He said: “My wife Sylvia and our friends had a wonderful afternoon. I would like to thank my branch colleague Keith Stott who organised the event, and all those who attended.

“It was a lovely surprise to see so many dignitaries as well as colleagues from the Royal British Legion.”

Since retiring, Jack spends his time volunteering for the RBL and visiting ex-servicemen who are lonely or experiencing ill-health, providing them with much-valued companionship.

Pam Gilligan, chief executive of Compassion in Action said: “Like all veterans, Mr Robinson is a great asset to our community and an inspiration to all our Recovery Academy Members.

“We are very grateful for his service to our country, to the Legion and for his contribution to our weekly Veterans’ Brunch meetings.

“It is our great pleasure to have been able to help celebrate his lifetime membership to the Legion.

“We look forward to another year of supporting our valued forces here at Patrick House.”

The reception also marked the one-year anniversary of Compassion in Action’s Veterans’ Brunch.

The evening received guests of honour including the mayor and mayoress of Wigan Borough, Cllr Ron and Janet Conway and the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, Lady Smith DL and Lord Peter Smith of leader of Wigan Council.

For more information about Compassion in Action’s Veterans’ Brunch, held every Thursday from 11am to 1pm, call 01942 418830.