Appeal to send cards to Heckmondwike war veteran on his 100th birthday

The appeal, set up by Paul Halloran, has been made to help war veteran Joe Weaver celebrate his 100th birthday on Sunday, May 15.

Joe, who recently moved to Harrogate to be closer to his daughter, lived the majority of his life on Mount Avenue, White Lee, Heckmondwike.

Joe is among a handful of survivors from the 1944 Normandy landings and was presented seven years ago with the Légion d’Honneur (France’s highest decoration) at a ceremony held at the Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington, near York.

The Légion d’Honneur medals – introduced in 1802 by Napoleon – were presented by air attaché Colonel Patrice Morand on behalf of the President of France.

Paul, who met Joe at a memorial service in Batley, has set up the appeal after a conversation with one of Joe’s family members.

During the conversation they discussed what they could do to commemorate Joe’s 100th birthday, when they came up with the birthday card appeal.

Paul said: “Simply for me, I am like a lot of people, I believe in tradition and I am thankful for the sacrifice that these people made - Joe and millions of others.

“Joe went to war at 18 years of age and the bravery of these men was just incredible.

“It will be lovely to see Joe's face and for him to know that people from all over the country have thought about him on his special day.

“It’s nice to be nice and If we can all do our little bit and bring a smile to his face, that will be fantastic.

“It is a special birthday for him anyway - for anyone to get to 100 is just fantastic.

“I am going to pick the cards up this weekend and on Sunday they are having a party for him in Wetherby.

“I am going to turn up, unannounced to Joe, and hopefully his reaction will be fantastic.”

Cards can be sent, affixed with a first class stamp, to Mr Joe Weaver, C/O Batley IDLC, Churchfield Street, Batley, WF17 5DL.