It wasn’t quite the planned surprise party, but a 100-year-old celebrated his centenary last week, 80 years to the day he was sent off to six years at war.
Arthur Branch still lives at his London Road home in Spalding and his carer and son Tony was on hand for the celebrations on Sunday, April 12.
Tony (72) had planned a huge surprise party at The Drayman’s Arms pub he owns with 200 people and live entertainment.
“We were having a massive party and I’d been going through everybody I could think of to invite them,” said Tony. “It was just us though and the telegram from The Queen came through.
“We also made a number of telephone calls to family members.
“It’s tough on him as he’s very sociable and before we closed I took him to the pub at least once a week.
“As a dad he is the best. He only had to speak to you and you knew to behave.
“He’s still very independent.”
Arthur worked on farms for around 40 years and spent 68 years married to Joyce who passed away five years ago.
This was after he’d spent six years in the war fighting in Burma as part of the Gurkha Army.
“He never used to talk about the war at all, but after my mum died he started opening up and some of the things he’s told us makes your tummy turn.
“He was called up on his 20th birthday and then went away for six years.
“We only found that out last year though.”
Arthur also has a grandson, Darren Branch, who was able to go and see his granddad through the window.
“While I was standing outside I just wanted to go and hug him, and shake him and tell him how much I love him,” said Darren. “He’s had such a life and it was heartbreaking being so far away on his 100th birthday, but also nice to see him.
“We’ll look forward to celebrating when this is all over.”
