Shannon was educated at Ballywalter Primary School and Coleraine Academical Institution . He was a soldier in the Ulster Defence Regiment in 1973 – 1975 and 1976 – 1977 and was awarded the General Service Medal . He served in the Royal Artillery TA from 1977 – 88 . He is a member of the Orange Order and Apprentice Boys of Derry . He has been voted " least sexy MP " in a list of all Westminster MPs but laughed off his position at the bottom of the poll
General Service Medal
General Service Medal (1962)
Jim Shannon