WW2 veteran celebrates 103rd birthday with family

A World War Two veteran who helped liberate Europe after the D-Day landings has marked his 103rd birthday.

Father-of-one and grandfather-of-three Ron Parker, who was born on 24 February 1923, was just 18 when he was conscripted into the Royal Engineers in 1942.

Trained in clearing mines, fixing equipment and building infrastructure he was part of follow-up forces sent to France after June 1944's D-Day landings.

Family and friends joined him at the Care for Veterans home, in Worthing, West Sussex, to celebrate on Tuesday.

A Care for Veterans spokesperson said when Parker arrived at Sword Beach he was weighed down with equipment and ammo.

He dug in to create defensive positions and machine gun posts.

The spokesperson said: "Ron has spoken of the difficulty of sleeping as artillery fire shook the ground through the night and the constant focus on survival.

"Despite the danger, he remained quietly determined, playing his part in the Allied advance across Europe."

After the war, they said, he came home to Worthing, married wife Joyce and worked for Barclays Bank.

Following Joyce's 2021 death and some illness, he moved to Care for Veterans.

The home's manager, Vicky Strange, dubbed him "extraordinary", saying: "His life story is a powerful reminder of the courage and resilience of his generation."

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