WW2 veteran of Normandy and Arnhem marks 100 years with message for serving personnel

A veteran of the Second World War who has turned 100 has shared a piece of advice for those serving in the British Army today: "Enjoy what you do."

Sergeant Arnold Walton landed in Normandy on D-Day +4 and went on to spend 21 years in the infantry.

Veterans from across the North of England have helped the war hero celebrate his milestone birthday, throwing him a party in Rotherham, South Yorkshire.

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The celebration, organised by his friends and members of the Rotherham Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club, included 1940s-era music and was attended by the King's representative in the region – Deputy Lieutenant, Lieutenant Colonel Mac McPherson.

Speaking to BFBS Forces News, the Second World War veteran said he wanted to share some advice for those serving today.

"Enjoy what you do," he said. "Like what you're doing.

"Joining the Army, enjoying the drills – we know every day isn't the same. But to enjoy what you're doing is the main thing.

"And if you enjoy what you are doing, you do it well."

Arnold, who spent his 19th birthday in 1944 advancing through Northern Europe, said he prefers not to dwell on memories of the war. He recently joined the breakfast club and is looked up to as something of a role model among his fellow veterans.

Organiser Sharon Lee, a co-founder of the group, said once members learned of Arnold's milestone birthday, they were keen to do something special.

"We wanted to do something as a Breakfast Club for his 100th birthday," she said.

"It went from him saying he didn't want anything, to then him saying he'd maybe have a few people, to finally the large number who turned up.

"I think it's been a shock for him, but a nice surprise as well."

In a particularly touching moment, motorcycling Army veterans turned out in force and cheered Arnold as he arrived at the party, which was held at a local Toby Carvery.

Mick Riley, one of the riders and a veteran of the Royal Logistic Corps, said it was important to honour Arnold’s wartime service.

"We started a new riders branch based out of Tommy’s Lounge in Huddersfield – a veterans' coffee lounge centred around mental health – and this was our first official ride out," he said.

"We thought, what better reason than a fellow veteran's 100th birthday?"

Although Arnold had already received a card from the King, it did not stop the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces from sending along his representative for South Yorkshire.

Lt Col Mac McPherson said he was honoured to attend.

"There are very few people who were at D-Day +4 who are still around, so to be able to celebrate someone's century is an incredible privilege," he said.

"There is a strong veterans community here, and with very few reserves now based in the area, veterans take a more prominent role in civic events like this.

"I think that helps people come forward when they need support."

Arnold was originally conscripted into the Hallamshire Battalion, which saw significant action in Northern Europe, including at Fontenay-le-Pesnel, Le Havre, Nijmegen and Arnhem.

After the war, he was cap-badged to the York and Lancaster Regiment and latterly the East Yorkshire Regiment – which traces its lineage to today's Royal Yorkshire Regiment – and was present at the First Berlin Airlift in June 1948.