Christmas Day was a double celebration for a Sidmouth care home resident whose 100th birthday fell on December 25. 

Amid the Christmas festivities a special party was held at the Vale View Heights care home for former RAF pilot Ron Day, with family, friends and staff joining him in marking his century. 

Ron was born on December 25 1922 in Taunton and was only 17 when WWII broke out. He joined the RAF and trained to be a navigator and wireless operator in Canada before entering active service.  Initially stationed in Scotland, Ron was part of a squadron that flew Bristol Beaufighters on anti-shipping strikes along the north German and Dutch coasts.  These missions were extremely dangerous and sustained heavy casualties; at one stage of the war the chances of crewmen surviving a tour was only 25 per cent, with just three per cent expected to survive two tours. 

 On 11 April 1945 Ron was in a flight of 35 Mosquito bombers targeting shipping routes off the south-east coast of Norway when he was shot down.  He and his pilot, Sqn Ldr Phil Davenport, miraculously survived and were taken prisoner by the Germans. They were kept under armed guard in hospital in Oslo until the end of the war. 

 After VE Day, Ron married Clarice Griffin, who he had met during the war, and had two daughters, Jane and Sally.  The family lived in Taunton and Ron worked for an agricultural equipment firm serving the South West. 

Asked about his thoughts on reaching his 100th birthday, Ron said: “I’m sure the secret to a long life is happiness.  I was blessed with a wonderful marriage of 70 years, had two fantastic daughters and good health. What more can you ask for? 

“I’ve had a really lovely day and the staff at Vale View have gone out of their way to help me celebrate my century.” 

Paul Courtney, the manager of Vale View Heights, said: “It has been a privilege for us to join Ron in marking this incredible milestone.  He has led a fascinating life as part of the unique generation that fought so bravely and successfully for our country in World War II.   

“Ron still manages to take an active part in life at the home and is a regular and popular member of Vale View Height’s Veterans Club.”