A SIDMOUTH nursing home resident with a fascinating past celebrated his 100th birthday last week.

A SIDMOUTH nursing home resident with a fascinating past celebrated his 100th birthday last week.

Centenarian Robert Edwards was joined by family, friends and staff at Holmesley Nursing Home last Thursday, October 21.

Robert, born in Hereford in 1910, was his parents’ the seventh son - and one of his names is Septimus as a result.

The retired civil engineer also qualified as a barrister in a distinguished career.

During the Second World War, Robert worked in London for the government organising the North Atlantic Convoys.

While in the capital he joined the Home Guard and spent many an evening on the guns in Hyde Park.

At the end of the war he joined the Ministry of Transport and was seconded to Washington DC where he met and married Janet, a WRAF Officer in the British Royal Airforce,

On his return to England Robert became the general manager of London Airports before moving to Liverpool to run the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board.

He moved to Devon to live with his daughters after beloved wife Janet died.

Staff at Holmesley said he thoroughly enjoyed his special day.