Second World War veteran celebrates 100th birthday at Meppershall care home
A Second World War veteran and former POW has celebrated his 100th birthday at a care home in Meppershall.
Douglas Baldwin marked the milestone at Meppershall Care Home with a party attended by family and friends, as well as the Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire Susan Lousada.
The celebratory event on November 16 included a buffet meal in the home’s new dining room, as well as a special homemade cake which featured the message ‘Happy 100th Birthday Douglas’ in blue icing.
Douglas, who is from Caddington, landed in northern France aged 18, three weeks after D-Day in June 1944.
He served with the 6th Battalion King’s Own Scottish Borderers, and was captured by German forces in the village of Estry in August 1944, where he was taken at gunpoint to a car, before being transported to Germany in a railway truck.
He was made to mine for coal during nine months in multiple Prisoner of War camps, which he escaped when it was liberated by Allied forces.
In 2021, he received the Legion D’Honneur, France’s highest military honour, in recognition of his service during the war.
After war he moved to Luton for work, which included jobs at Vauxhall and Luton Airport.
Manager at Meppershall Care Home, Viv, said: “We had the extraordinary honour of celebrating one of our residents Douglas, who has reached the remarkable milestone of 100 years.
“Not only has he lived a century full of memories, but he also bravely served our country as a war veteran.
“His courage, resilience and wisdom inspire us all here every day.
“We are incredibly proud to call Douglas one of our family.”
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