BURMA Star veteran Jim O’Connor was guest of honour on his 96th birthday at a reception hosted by the mayor of Teignmouth, Cllr Jacqui Orme, at Bitton House on Saturday.

He regularly attends Teignmouth’s Remembrance Parade and Service, and last year read the Exhortation and Kohima epitaph.

He is one of only four remaining veterans of the Plymouth branch of the Burma Star Association, comprising of soldiers who fought the Japanese in the second world war Burma campaign.

A photo of Mr O’Connor with the past mayor, Cllr David Matthews, and a former comrade, the late Jim Stowers, was presented to him along with a cityscape picture of Liverpool, his home town.

Following the presentation he recited old war songs on his harmonica which everyone, including councillors and members of the remembrance committee, joined in.