WARMINSTER’S Ronald Smith marked a special occasion with family and friends this week, as the former World War Two Second World War soldier celebrated his 100th birthday.

The Ashwood Care Home resident was presented with a cake by staff at the home, spent time with his two children, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren during the celebrations and received a birthday card from the Queen.

His daughter, Carolyn Dewey, said: “He loved every minute of his party and it was nice to have the whole family together.”

Mr Smith added: “I really enjoyed my birthday.”

Born in Doncaster on September 1, 1915, Mr Smith moved to Warminster with the Green Howards in 1940 at the start of the war and was based at Knook Camp.

A regular church goer, Mr Smith met his wife Poppy at the Warminster Methodist Church and soon became engaged, marrying her in 1943 in the same church they met before he went off to war.

He was part of the second front and served in France, Belgium and Holland before being demobbed in 1946 and moving back to Warminster to live with his wife.

After the war, Mr Smith then worked for the MOD as a telecoms engineer and was an apprentice master until his retirement.

He was a local preacher for more than 40 years and is passionate about gardening and photography.

Revel Brown, Mr Smith’s key carer at the home on Gipsy Lane, said: “He’s an amazing person and for 100-years-old he’s very funny.

“He loves to sing and whistle, he’s a bit of a character around the home and it was lovely to see everyone together for his birthday.”