On January 5th, 2024, in Henfield, Jack Burton was 100 years old. Jack proudly served in the RAF during World War II as a navigator, flying Liberators and B-25 Mitchells from 1942 to 1946 in Coastal Command, serving in UK, Canada, and finally the Far East, by then promoted to Warrant Officer.
He has supported Tottenham Hotspur all his life - attending his first Spurs game in 1933. He can still sing the songs from 1933 and we found the programme from the first game he attended.
After retiring from his career in furniture in Brighton, Jack faced a new challenge when he became severely sight impaired (he is now registered blind). With the help of Blind Veterans UK, he was helped by their 'can do' attitude, which has been invaluable in his acceptance of his blindness.
He has a son and daughter, four stepsons, thirteen grandchildren and step-grandchildren, and three great granddaughters - the youngest of whom was born just after Jack’s 100th birthday this year.
As Jack approached his centennial birthday, he and his wife Ann decided that rather than receiving presents, they wanted to give back to Blind Veterans UK by raising funds for this incredible organization, and to support the vital work that Blind Veterans UK does every day. So far, £1,800 has been raised.
If you’d like to join Jack and Ann in honouring Jack's legacy of service and supporting this worthy cause, you can donate by going to his Just Giving page. All money goes directly to Blind Veterans:
www.justgiving.com/page/paul-browne-1702418886953
Paul Browne