A WAR veteran who says he's just an 'ordinary bloke' is celebrating his 100th birthday.

John Whitehouse – known as Jack - marked the milestone with a birthday celebrations organised by his family and friends.

The former Worcester postman has been living in The Firs, Kempsey, housing for the elderly, for the past two years.

Before that he and his late wife lived in a bungalow in Ellsdon, also in the village.

Worcester Ukulele Band played at a party held by the Tuesday Group, which Mr Whitehouse goes to at The Firs.

Another party was also being organised with his family - two sons, Trevor and Ron; four grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and 10 great-great grandchildren.

Mr Whitehouse was born in Sussex on June 22, 1919, and moved to Worcester with his family when he was 11 years-old.

On leaving school he worked at a gent’s hairdresser until the Second World War broke out and he joined the Territorial Army, Worcestershire Regiment, as an artillery driver and water carrier.

He was involved in the Dunkirk fighting in 1940, served in the North African campaign and was in the Battle of Anzio in Italy which went on from January to June in 1944.

He said: “We were stuck there, couldn’t move - sea at the back and the Germans at the front.”

When he returned from the war he became a postman, delivering on foot and by van in Worcester and Hanley Swan. He worked for the Post Office for 34 years, retiring at the age of 60.

He married Mary Tully, who lived near his home in Brickfields, Worcester before the war.

After he retired they moved from Worcester to buy a mobile home in Hanley Swan where they stayed for 11 years until moving to a bungalow in Ellsdon, Kempsey, as Mrs Whitehouse had become ill with Hodgkin lymphoma. She died three days before they could celebrate their Diamond wedding.

Mr Whitehouse said: “I have been very fortunate. My family all live nearby. My granddaughter helps me with the cooking. I like driving and walking. I used to keep pigeons and had one or two prizes. I like a glass of beer - my wife and I used to go to the Lansdowne pub when we were in Worcester. 

“The worst thing is loneliness, especially in the winter.

"You close the blinds at 4pm and don’t see anyone until 9am the next morning. I’m just an ordinary bloke, taking life as it comes and keeping myself to myself. I don’t know how I got to this age.”