WW2 veteran, 105, keeps mum on secret of old age

A man thought to be one of the oldest World War Two RAF veterans still alive has celebrated his 105th birthday – but he will not tell us what he thinks is the secret of his longevity.

Ron Thompson was born in London in 1921 and celebrated his birthday a day early on Sunday at his care home in Braintree, Essex, followed by a party at the town's golf club.

When asked how he had lived so long, he said: "I'll never tell, not tell anybody. They'll all try and catch me up."

His daughter-in-law Lorraine Thompson said: "He's got his red wine which I bring him every week. He says he drinks too much of it but he still carries on – so I think that's his secret really."

Ron's friend Malcolm has written a short history of his life, which he says is "fascinating".

He said that before war broke out, Ron worked as a print developer at his father's photography business in London's East End.

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His older brother Len was a photographer and when Len enlisted in the Royal Air Force, Ron took his place behind the camera.

In 1941, Ron was called up for active service and volunteered for the RAF in the hopes of being a flyer, but failed the medical due to a "duff ear".

He was recruited for training in London as an engine fitter and was first posted to RAF Scampton, near Lincoln, before being sent overseas where he mostly served in India and Burma.

Malcolm said Chigwell-based Thompson Photographic, which Ron returned to after the war, continued until 1970 as a leading photo agency.

"The firm was the official photographer for West Ham Utd and they supplied the press with pictures of celebrities," he added.

Ron said the card he received from King Charles III was "lovely" and he would put it next to the card he was sent by Queen Elizabeth II for his 100th birthday.

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