Devon war veteran celebrates 107th birthday

A man who saw action in Singapore and India during the Second World War has celebrated his 107th birthday at his Dartington care home.

Reg Lewis was born a year before the First World War began and worked until he was 93.

Due to the current social distancing rules, his relatives were unable to bewith him for his birthday but residents and staff at the ForderLane House Care Home threw Reg a party.

Reg was a butcher until he was called up to serve in the Second World War with the Royal Devon Yeomanry artillery brigade in Singapore and India.

On his return he received a call from the officer he served under in Singapore. They offered him the chance to manage the local farm in Holne, a village on the edge of Dartmoor.

Reg managed the farm for 20 years until it was sold, at which point he returned to working as a butcher in the Torbay area – not retiring until the age of 93.

Christine Candlish, Chief Executive of SDR, says “Everyone is fond of Reg" and staff are "delighted to see him tick off another year in his amazing catalogue of personal milestones".