PERSHORE war hero Harold Wilson was thrilled to celebrate his 100th birthday on Tuesday with over 320 cards from well-wishers and a small gathering in his honour outside his home.

Harold, who served seven years as a tank driver during the Second World War, was applauded by town mayor Cllr Chris Parsons and Worcestershire Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Brigadier Roger Brunt CBE.

Brigadier Brunt, who himself fought in Northern Ireland and Bosnia, was a fitting choice to present the Normandy veteran with his card of congratulations from HM The Queen.

Brigadier Brunt DL said: “What a great day this is. I bet there were moments in his life when he never thought this day would arrive, but it has and he is carrying the torch for us all. He is an inspiration.”

Harold, resplendent in his regimental cap and service medals, thanked his supporters for their many greetings, including the many cards from Evesham Journal readers, plus those from as far afield as New Zealand, Australia and the United States.

“I am overawed and gobsmacked at the amount of attention I have received,” he said.

“I have even had my lunch kindly given to me on the house by Newlands Fish and Chips. People have been most kind.”

Another benevolent gesture was from the top brass of Harold's wartime regiment, the Fife and Forfar Yeomanry, which is now part of 'C' Squadron of the Scottish and Northern Irish Yeomanry based in Fife, Scotland.

Over the online video platform, Zoom, Harold was congratulated by Sergeant Major Grant Stevenson and second-in-command, Captain Alex Nairn, before Pipe Major Darren Walker played a heart-warming rendition of Happy Birthday and the regimental march,The Wee Cooper of Fife on the bagpipes.

“What an honour to play for Harold, a special member of our regimental family. We loved being part of his special day,” said Pipe Major Walker, before adding, “We look forward to the day we can invite him back to Fife to visit us.”

Since Tuesday, Harold has been spending his time opening the rest of his cards and has been delighted to receive over 50 handmade cards from local schoolchildren.

Thomas Andrews, 10, a pupil at Holy Redeemer Primary School, is interested in Harold's wartime service having visited the Tank Museum in Dorset and would also like to live to such a grand old age.

“We wanted to remember you, Harold, because we are so impressed you have reached 100 and that you were a tank driver.”

“To reach a 100, you must be very healthy and probably don't eat too many sweets!”