Modern marvel Fred celebrates 100th birthday

FRED DAVIES enjoys his Chronicle

FRED Davies isn't your average centenarian.

In the last few years Fred - who celebrates his magnificent 100th birthday milestone today and still lives alone in his own home - has taught himself to paint, use a computer, the internet, social media, and FaceTime's his grandchildren in New Zealand - in fact you could say he's a thoroughly modern marvel!

He's got a lot to live up to as his grandmother reached 107.

Born in Ironbridge, Shropshire, Fred's ability to learn new skills began at an early age when learned to drive a tractor at eight, helping out on the farm where his family rented a cottage. He also taught himself to play the piano while being forced to oversee his reluctant younger sister's practice sessions.

Fred - who was christened "Philip" - took a keen interest in his family's blacksmith business and when he was forced to leave school aged 12 he became a lorry driver's mate which led him to become a long distance lorry driver in later life.

He fondly recalls his rural up-bringing and grew up in the same street as England and Wolverhampton Wanderers footballer Billy Wright. He remembers having his picture taken with Billy - the first player in the world to earn 100 international caps - when the player was a baby.

"His dad put him in my arms and told me to stand there while they took a picture," said Fred.

"I'd have been about seven at the time. I remember him growing up."

When he was 19 he was drafted into World War II as an engineer with the 7th Armoured Mobile Workshop, serving worldwide repairing tanks including in Egypt and Italy.

"I didn't fight on the front line but it was people like me at the back keeping stuff rolling and I did have to go behind enemy lines at times," he said.

Fred never saw his wife, Lily, or daughter Christine, during his eight years in the Army.

"I was a baby when he left," said Christine.

"He used to send pictures so from those I thought I had seven dads because that's how many pictures I had of him and I used to get on the bus telling everyone. He finally came home when was I was eight and he brought me a box of sweets. When I'd eaten them I asked him when he was going back so he could get me some more!"

Fred and his wife, Lily, moved to Werneth in 1989 to be nearer Christine and the family which includes four grandchildren and four great grandchildren. And, he's proud to have been a Chronicle reader since moving to the borough.

He loved building cruising boats - one of which he started in the bedroom - and also put together a caravan from a kit which the couple toured up and down the country in for many years.

Fred's close-knit family call round to see him and help him out every day but he insists on being independent.

"I've got my own house and I want to live in it," he said.

"My dad lived to 96, mum died a month short of her 100th birthday and my grandmother was 107, it runs in the family."

Fred is set to enjoy a family party today and is looking forward to a telegram from the Queen.