Arthur Willis celebrates 100 years.

Well, how many centurions do you have in your branch? Stockton Branch has one, as of Thursday 27 March. As you no doubt know Arthur was a soldier in 2 DLI 1931 -1938, and again in 1939 – 1946. Soon after being demobbed he became a member of Stockton Branch DLI Association and despite the fact he cannot get to the meetings now he is still a strong supporter of the Branch which keeps him up-to-date with Branch activities, while he supports the branch by regular donations and letters.

Arthur had been a widower with no children for many years when he met Ernie Ward who worked at SSI Steelworks. Arthur had been doing his regular spell on the treadmill at Middlesbrough Southlands Centre, when on leaving the treadmill he stumbled and was prevented from falling by Ernie, and so began a friendship which Arthur described as being ‘a new life’ for him. Ernie was astonished to learn that Arthur was 97 years of age, and the friendship blossomed. Arthur became one of the family even to the extent of going on holiday with them to Majorca, flying being a new experience for him.

So it was that for Arthur’s 100 birthday Ernie’s wife Angie arranged a party for him at her house in collaboration with the Stockton Branch DLI Association. Arthur was dressed in his regimental blazer, beret with cap badge and medals. He was brought to the party in a Rolls Royce, was greeted by a bugle fanfare, opened his congratulatory 100 years birthday card from the Queen. Stockton Branch DLI members had arrived at Angie’s house with a bugler, branch standards, gifts of Regimental birthday cake (courtesy of ASDA), a beautiful coupage birthday made by a member of the Hartlepool Branch, cards, plaques and a copy of the new 2nd Battalion book signed by the author Harry Moses. Angie had said she would make a few sandwiches and laid on a spread that would have done justice to the Grand Hotel. The Evening Gazette reporter and photographer were present and numerous photographs were taken.

The party lasted all morning with numerous friends and family and everyone had a great time and lots of fun. Arthur was serenaded by Bernard Kelly with the Stockton Branch songsters singing all the old DLI and World War 2 songs. This was a really special day for everyone, friends and family, the Stockton Branch and Arthur himself.