A FORMER Army engineer celebrated a very special birthday.

Walter Harris of Holywell turned 100 over the weekend and celebrated the occasion with his family and friends at The Stamford Gate Hotel.

He was born in Barrow in Furness, the youngest of four brothers.

On leaving school he worked as an 'office boy' in Vickers Ship Yard until he became old enough to take up an apprenticeship as a fitter/turner within the shipyard.

He completed his apprenticeship and worked as a fitter until the outbreak of World War Two when he joined the Army.

After basic training he was assigned to the REME and was posted to North Africa to be part of the Eighth Army, repairing tanks.

This included being part of the siege of Tobruk and the subsequent Battle of El Alemain.

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After being de-mobbed from the Army, Mr Harris gained employment with Courtaulds at Greenfield and lived in digs in Rhyl.

Whilst living and working in North Wales he met his soon to be wife Doreen Roberts from Holywell.

They settled in Holywell and went on have four children named Christine, Janette, Susan and Brian.

He now has seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Mr Harris continued to work as a maintenance fitter at Courtaulds and became shift fitter at the spinning end - eventually taking early retirement from Courtaulds at the age of 63.

Speaking of the celebration, which took place on Saturday, his grandson Mike Bryne told the Leader: "It was a great get together.

"Family and friends came from far and wide. There were about 95 people there.

"He really enjoyed the day, as he always loves to see his family, but it was tiring for him."

Mr Harris enjoys most sports and is eagerly watching his home town of Barrow AFC climb the lower football leagues.

He has always supported Lancashire Cricket Club and also opened the batting with Alan Banks for Courtaulds.

In his retirement years he has taken an interest in Snooker and has attended a number of live tournaments.