A Royal Marines veteran has celebrated his 100th birthday.
Harry Tew received his card from King Chales III on Monday as he celebrated at his Langwith Gardens home in Holbeach.
He grew up in King’s Cross and was a tool makers’ apprentice before being allowed to sign up for the Army aged 18 in 1942.
He initially joined the Navy before becoming the youngest Royal Marine in his unit stationed with The Torpedo squadron in East Africa.
He ended up driving in the Army, arriving in France just after D-Day and then being part of the push into Hamburg at the end of the war, staying there until 1946.
After the war he lived in Putney becoming a sales rep for ladies underwear and he claims to have made the first nylon bath mat in the country.
He also met his wife Jean (89) who was ‘one of his tufters’ ( and who he asked to a dance.
“We’ve been married around 50 years,” he said. “I’m not very good with dates.”
Harry has three children, including daughter Anne who lives nearby, and one grandchild.
He says he’s played pretty much every sport including bowls alongside Jean for Long Sutton and Spalding after moving to Holbeach 30 years ago.
When asked the secret of a long life he said: “Having a good woman with me.”
