D-Day veteran gets 1,000 cards for 100th birthday

A D-Day veteran has received over 1,000 cards for his 100th birthday following an appeal by his next-door neighbour.

Arnold, who also fought in the Battle of Arnhem in the Netherlands later in 1944, had previously said he wanted "nothing" for his birthday, saying instead that "I just want people to say, 'Hi Arnold, keep going lad'."

However, in November, Tracy Richardson asked on BBC Radio Sheffield for people to send in birthday cards, which were presented to Arnold in a ceremony at the station on Monday.

Ms Richardson, from Rotherham, said: "He deserves everything we can possibly muster to say, here's to your 100th. Thank you for everything and God bless you for everything that you've done."

"He is such a pillar of the community, he did so much for us during his war service. He's got such a journey and life story to tell," she said.

Arnold was originally from Bishop Auckland, in County Durham, but moved to South Yorkshire 75 years ago to marry his wife, Sylvia, who died in the early 2000s.

At the age of 18, he joined the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire Regiment and became part of the 49th West Riding Division, known as the Polar Bears.

He previously told BBC Radio Sheffield he had "loved" his time in the Army.

"Anyone who says they didn't, there is something wrong with them," he said.

"Hot running showers, physical exercise – I thought the Army was fantastic.

"I know it sounds ridiculous, but I had a fantastic war. I remember the best things, and my best things were the ladies."

During his 100 birthday event in Sheffield, Arnold was played a voice message from a man named Michael, who lives in Arnhem.

Michael's city was liberated seven months after the battle in which Arnold fought, and in which 62 British troops died.

In his message, Michael said he had seen Arnold's photograph and recognised that he had served in the Hallamshire Battalion.

"We were very excited to see that, as that means you were one of the very brave men who liberated my city in April 1945 - the city my four grandparents were evacuated from in 1944.

"We weren't sure there were any surviving Polar Bears to thank."

Michael said he hoped to be in touch with Arnold directly to "express our gratitude to you personally".

"Once again, sir, a very happy birthday and thank you for all your service," he added.

Arnold became emotional hearing the message, and simply said: "lovely, thank you."

Meanwhile, Christopher Wood, managing director for The London Mint Office, sent Arnold a commemorative medal and a letter, saying his own grandfather had served at Arnhem.

Mr Wood said: "He rarely spoke of [the battle] in detail. What he did pass on was an unshakeable sense of duty, quiet courage and loyalty to the men beside him.

"To be writing to someone who stood in that same place, in those same harrowing days, is deeply humbling for me.

"Thank you – for your service, your courage and your lifetime of quiet heroism."

Arnold said he was "absolutely over the moon" with the recognition he had received, including the 1,000 cards.

"Thank you from the bottom of my heart," he added.

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