LONDON (VINnews) — Harry Field, a Second World War veteran living in Epsom near London, thought that he would be celebrating his 100th birthday alone last Saturday without any words of encouragement from friends, as Britain is presently in strict lockdown after a renewed outbreak of coronavirus.
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However the sprightly centenarian did not realize the power of social media, where his carer, 33-year-old Hollie Pearson, had placed a plea for people to send him cards, stating that:”He’s not in great health, depressed, he’s going to be stuck in and lonely. Can’t get to the pub! Not happy with Boris!
“Wondering if anyone would send a card to show him the good social media can do! And make it special. I feel so sorry for him, a war veteran, one of the most humble, clever, brave people I’ve ever met.”
Harry’s brother-in-law, Paul Colvin, who he shares a home with, added a summary of his life to accompany the message on NextDoor, the neighborhood social media platform. Fields’ distinguished combat career included his being awarded a Military Cross for singlehandedly capturing an enemy gun post in Italy in 1944 when he was armed with just a pistol.
The response astonished Field, who received 160 birthday cards from wellwishers around the country. Other people sent cakes and Field even received a card from his childhood football club, Millwall FC.
Harry told Sky News he was “dumbfounded”, adding: “I’m absolutely astonished that so many people whom I do not know would do that for me and I keep saying why, what have I done?
“I am extremely grateful for it but I remain absolutely astonished particularly when you see children of three making cards for me. It’s not real, it’s fantastic. I’m very humbled by it.”
After the war, Harry worked in television and later married his wife Carol, who died in 2013 after a 47-year marriage. A year later the couple’s beloved dog, Max, died
Harry says he does not feel 100 years old but will just “carry on doing what I am doing for as long as it’s possible.”
He describes lockdown as “nonsense” but says that his number one priority when it gets lifted is to go to the pub.