IT WASN’T just the centenary of the end of the First World War on Sunday, but it was also a milestone birthday for a man in Old Basing.

Harold Askey was born in Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, at 11.11am on November 11, 1918 - 11 minutes after the Armistice began - and celebrated his 100th birthday on Sunday Being born in 1918 meant that Harold was of the age to see the Second World War, in which he took part in as a member of the engineering battalion, taking part in the Sicily landings, and was involved in troop activity in Greece.

Harold was joined by his wife of 59 years Jean, 90, and his friends at the Ivy Club in Old Basing on Wednesday, 7 November for a party to celebrate his momentous birthday. There, he had a cake with candles spelling out ‘100’ and a card signed by the rest of the members of the club.

Sue Wilson, chair of the Ivy Club and the organiser of the party, said: “It was a resounding happy birthday for John, who enjoyed seeing the cake and the card. He really loved it, and was absolutely thrilled to blow out the candles.

“He chatted to everyone who was there and had a great time.”

On Harold’s his actual birthday, he had an open house at Oakfields in Lychpit where the pair live after moving to the area two years ago to be nearer to their son.