ARMY celebrations for the Queen's Golden Jubilee will have added meaning for one Accrington man.
Ex-service man Jim Pickles will join festivities at Preston's Fulwood Barracks on June 8, exactly 69 years to the day since he enlisted there.
The 87-year-old, from Emma Street, was stationed at Fulwood immediately after joining up in 1933. To mark both occasions he will join revellers at an open day at the barracks in Watling Street Road, which will feature a spectacular military pageant of traditional and contemporary warfare.
Attractions at the event, which is free to the public, will include the Warrior fighting vehicle in a realistic war scene, and a gun race featuring 105mm light field guns similar to those currently being used in Afghanistan.
There will also be traditional military music.
Mr Pickles said: "I have never been back to Fulwood Barracks since I finished training. It's a coincidence the jubilee celebrations should fall on the same date as I enlisted. I'm looking forward to it"
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article