Celebration time for centenarian John

CHEERS: a glass of lager for John Warburton, who celebrated his 100th birthday yesterday

A CHADDERTON man with a rich history celebrated his 100th birthday yesterday.

John Warburton, who lives in care home Acacia Lodge,said: “I have been counting the days to my 100th birthday and I’m really excited about getting my telegram from the Queen. I’m having two celebrations — one small one and a large family reunion at the home on Saturday.”

John was born near Blackburn, moved to Denshaw when he was five and after school at 14 moved to Shaw and began work at Fern Mill.

He met wife Alice Hilton, also a mill worker, in 1938 and the pair moved to a house in Stock Lane, Chadderton. The couple had two daughters, Margaret and Dorothy.

Despite being only 4ft 11in tall and losing his right index finger in an accident, John was called up to the army as a gunner in the Royal Artillery.

After six years he returned home and worked as a painter before joining the Oldham Royal Infirmary as a cook.

In 1961 John married Alice Howard, who already had four children, and the pair spent 44 years together until her death in 2005. John moved into Yew Trees care home two years later on its closure, into Acacia Lodge when he was 97.

Keen football fan John can no longer watch the games due to his failing eyesight, but still enjoys a lager in the evenings and the occasional tot of whisky.