Ipswich: Westerfield House's Claude Birks' 101st birthday

Claude Birks, who lives with his wife Margaret at Westerfield House in Humber Doucy Lane in north Ipswich, celebrated the milestone on Thursday.

He said he wanted a quiet day with "no fuss or bother", but he was surprised with a few treats from the care home.

The home's dining room was decorated and Claude was given a beautifully decorated fruit cake, which is his favourite.

David Last, a Suffolk organist, was also brought in to play some music and allow Claude to reminisce on a key period in his life.

Claude admires his cake at Westerfield House (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Claude was born in London in 1922 and grew up in Chelsea, in the Kings Road area.

He said he was very fortunate to have experienced a pleasant childhood before starting his career as an apprentice electrician at the age of 14.

His first job was at Rawlings Bros with John Rawlings, who was the inventor of the wall plug.

Claude and Margaret got married in 1952 and celebrated their platinum wedding anniversary last year at Westerfield House.

At one point in his life, Claude owned an organ centre in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.

Claude celebrates his birthday with Margaret (Image: Charlotte Bond)

It was during this time that he recalls delivering an organ to Heatherdown School in Ascot where he nudged a child, who happened to be Prince Edward, out of his way.

He also remembers being out on his bike near Hyde Park Corner and being cut up by a car, only to look up to see King George V staring at him through the window.

Claude and Margaret used to visit Essex and Suffolk for their holidays and decided to Martlesham on their retirement.

Four years ago, the couple moved into Westerfield House – calling it a "home from home".