Second World War veteran celebrates 100th birthday

A war veteran has celebrated his centenarian milestone.

Second World War veteran, Cecil Newton, marked his 100th birthday with his close friends and family on Boxing Day (December 26).

Mr Newton, from Aldbourne, spent more than three years fighting in the war, from storming Gold Beach on D-Day to marching into West Germany.

The mayor of Creully Sur Seulles — a French commune Mr Newton helped liberate — sent a personalised video message wishing him a happy birthday.

There is also a school in the commune named after Mr Newton.

Mr Newton attended reunions and memorial services in France almost every year, but he now honours his regiment at a private memorial in his garden, built by his family.

Read Mr Newtown’s full story which he shared with newburytoday last February.