A Norwich man whose formative years were shaped by heartbreak and war will celebrate his 100th birthday this weekend.
Soon-to-be centenarian Mike Howard was born in the east end of London on January 7, 1923.
He now lives at Catton Court in St Faiths Road - and is the oldest and longest-standing resident.
On January 3 he was surprised by 40 staff and fellow residents with a party at the complex, which also included a special visit from deputy lieutenant for Norfolk and chairman of Costessey Royal British Legion group captain Stewart Blackburn.
"The whole thing was a great surprise," he exclaimed.
"It was all a close-guarded secret and I never expected it. It was a wonderful party.
"Stewart made an address and apparently King Charles wishes me well."
Living a far-from-ordinary life, Mike was orphaned at 10 and by the age of 20 was in an Italian prisoner of war camp in Naples as the Second World War raged on.
But when he was demobilised from the army in 1947 and rejoined civilian life he lived a seemingly normal existence.
In the pandemic, Mike penned a memoir of his war years and aspires to follow up on what life was like in the 20s and 30s.
He still vividly remembers the tiny sliver of cheese for breakfast in the Italian POW camp and the 'soup' of water and eight pieces of macaroni which was the only other meal each day - as well as the infestations of lice, fleas and bedbugs.
Before then he had landed in Africa as a teen and fought his way to Tunisia where a third of his comrades were killed in a trap, with the rest taken prisoner.
On his return to Norfolk he met his wife Gwen in Palmers department store in Great Yarmouth. Gwen died in 2004. They had no children.
"I don't think the fact I'm turning 100 has sunk in. I've still got to get there yet, mind," he joked ahead of his landmark birthday.
"I've had a very eventful life and I can remember the past so well.
"It's important to keep talking and those memories alive."
He will celebrate on Saturday at the Old Rectory at Crostwick with 65 family and friends.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here