A SOUTHAMPTON street is throwing a party today for a World War Two veteran's 99th birthday.
Neighbours of RAF veteran Jim Pearce will hold a barbecue to honour their friend.
The life-long Saints fan and granddad-of-two, who drove trucks carrying aircraft equipment across North Africa and Italy in the war, will be joined by fellow residents in Bransbury Close.
Asked about the secret of a long life he said: “A good life and a good wife.”
His daughter, Sharon added: “He’s very calm, very measured. There’s no fluster to him at all. He takes everything in his stride. He’s had a very happy marriage and takes pleasure in everyday life.”
Born in 1916 in Clifford Street, Jim’s mother was deserted by his father who brought him up by herself in St Mary’s.
The Portswood School student moved to Begonia Road, Swaythling, and after leaving school at 14 he got a job as a driver with a launderette.
Months after war broke out in 1939 he was called up to join the RAF and for the first two years of his service was stationed near King’s Lynn.
“I put myself down to join the Navy because my father was a seafarer,” he said.
Jim, left, with service comrades.
As a serviceman with his truck decorated 'Up The Saints'
After the war he met his wife Val when they worked together at the launderette. He later worked for car parts manufacturer AC Delco.
They married and moved to their current home in Bransbury Close where they been for 58 years.
Neighbour Ashleigh Sheath said: “It’s heart-warming. As someone from a younger generation you don’t appreciate what you hear about in history lessons. When somebody tells you their experiences it hits home."
“Quite a lot of people have been around here for a long time, they all know him. He’s seen all the children grow up.”
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