Torquay World War Two veteran celebrates 100th birthday

War veteran and music and food lover Frank Harold Kettle has celebrated his 100th birthday.

Frank was an apprentice carpenter/joiner in London before serving as a gunner in the Royal Navy during WW2. 

After leaving the Navy, he became a shop fitter working all over the country, only coming home once a month to earn and save more.

He loved his motorbikes during his younger years and owned a Sunbeam, a Velocette and a motorbike with a sidecar, which he traded in for his first car when his second child came along. 

He was a keen wine and beer maker and loved ballroom dancing, frequently dancing at what now is London’s Lyceum Theatre.

Frank's favourite actress was Shirley McLean and he loved a good Bond film, as well as the Pink Panther films with Peter Sellers. 

Watching Norman Wisdom and Tommy Cooper gave him some great laughs. A lover of most food but jellied eels were always a guilty pleasure.

A talented man who could play the piano and mouth organ, Frank's health has declined in recent years but he can still tap his feet along to a good song with a nice beat.

He’s a father to three children, Pamela Ann, Antony and Denise, a Grandad and Great Grandad and was married to his dear wife, Pam, who he sadly lost last year, for 73 years.

Frank celebrated his big day with family and now resides at Hatt House in St Marychurch - and still loves his food!