From victory in the Pacific to turning 103: Navy veteran honoured by First Sea Lord

More than 80 years after helping to bring the Second World War to a close, Royal Navy veteran Fred Bickham has been honoured by the service he joined as a teenager, celebrating his 103rd birthday with a personal message from the First Sea Lord.

Fred Bickham, a resident at The Lawns Nursing Home in Brixton, Devon, was presented with a personal letter from First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins as he marked the remarkable milestone surrounded by family.

Mr Bickham joined the Royal Navy in 1941, training as an Electrical Artificer before serving on board aircraft carrier HMS Implacable.

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During the final months of the war, the ship operated with the United States Third Fleet in the Pacific, taking part in operations against Japanese forces as the Allies closed in on victory.

After the war, Mr Bickham continued his naval career on board HMS Venerable before moving to Australia in 1947, where he worked as an engineer for 15 years.

Returning to Britain in the 1960s, he dedicated his working life to supporting others as a social worker in Northampton and Oxford.

The special birthday tribute came after members of the Yealm Branch of the Royal British Legion learned that Mr Bickham was approaching his 103rd birthday.

They contacted the Royal Navy's Regional Commander for Wales and Western England to see whether the occasion could be recognised.

Despite the short notice, a personal letter was arranged from the First Sea Lord and presented to Mr Bickham by Giles Ebbutt, the branch chairman, on his birthday.

In the letter, General Sir Gwyn wrote: "I was delighted to learn that you are celebrating your 103rd birthday and, on behalf of the Royal Navy, I send you my warmest congratulations and very best wishes on this remarkable occasion.

"I wish you a very happy 103rd birthday and continued good health and happiness for the years ahead."

Fred's niece, Anne, said: "His framed letter is hanging proudly on his bedroom wall.

"He has had a wonderful day."