A Walton Charity resident played a part in history by becoming the first man to celebrate his 100th birthday at their residential home.

Centenarian Jim Turner, a resident at Sherwood House, enjoyed a tea party on Friday, January 31, with the High Sherriff of Surrey, Dr Helen Bowcock, and Dominic Raab, MP for Esher and Walton, popping in for the celebrations.

Born in 1914, Mr Turner grew up in the Walton and Hersham area and spent much of his life in Elmbridge, after a stint on the Isle of Wight building hovercrafts.

During the Second World War, Mr Turner built undercarriages for Spitfires and rear guns turrets for Wellington bombers and joined the auxiliary fire service. Mr Turner married Joan in 1941 and they were married for more than 70 years until she died last year.

He also fathered two sons, Brian and Michael, and has 12 grandchildren and two great-grand children.

After his retirement, Mr Turner worked on his allotment and enjoyed couch tours around the UK with his wife, and now enjoys taking walks, talking about history and what he did in the war.

Speaking after the tea party, Mr Raab said: “Jim is a testament to us all, still fit and sharp as a tack at 100. It was a real honour to be able to pop by and wish him happy birthday and of course to enjoy some of his birthday cake.”

Jackie Lodge, chief executive of Walton Charity, said she was delighted that Dr Bowcock and Mr Raab were able to visit Mr Turner to make his birthday even more special.