AN ex-fusilier who cycles every week to the site where his old Barracks is situated has had a photograph unveiled in his honour.

After joining The Lancashire Fusiliers in 1958 aged 18, Albert Shepherd, born and bred in Tyldesley, trained at Wellington Barracks in Bury.

Now the site of The Barracks Coffee House, the pensioner, now aged 78, cycles the 10 or so miles from his home to his old stomping ground every Tuesday morning.

After reminiscing with staff at the coffee house about his time in The Fusiliers, Albert has now had a a picture unveiled inside.

Albert said: “I cycle down here every Tuesday morning without fail which takes me about 45 minutes.

“Normally on Tuesday’s, I meet cycling friends in Rivington but ever since losing my partner last year, I have preferred to come here because I really feel at home and I can reminisce about the past.

“It has been a difficult time for me in recent months and so this place just helps me to get by I think.

“I have so many fond memories of this place, even though it has all changed now, and made so many friends here. It was here that I became a man."

Duane Lomax, a barista at The Barracks Coffee House, said: “Albert would look at the pictures on the wall every time he came in here but he is quite modest so at first we had no idea of his attachment to the site.

“It was only quite recently that he began to open up about his time in The Fusiliers so we encouraged him to bring in a photo.

“We then got a canvas printed and surprised him with a grand unveiling on the wall. He was clearly emotional and you could tell it means a lot to him.”

Albert said: “It made me cry. It makes me feel so proud and I would just like to thank all the staff for making me feel so welcome here.

After joining The Lancashire Fusiliers in 1958 aged 18, Albert completed his 10 weeks training at The Barracks before serving three years Peacekeeping in Cyprus.

He was then deployed to Osnabruck, Germany where he acted as a guard for trains as troops were taken from East to West and back again before he retired from service in 1963.

Still living in Tyldsley, Albert is a keen cyclist and uses his passion to raise money for charity.

Albert added: “I will keep coming here on Tuesday’s for as long as my body will allow.”