Chas Is One Of The ‘Survival Generation’
WWII veteran Chas Clegg marks 106th birthday with party at Abbeyfield care home in Winnersh.
Albert ‘Chas’ Clegg, a former Commando in the Royal Marines, has celebrated turning 106 years old with a tea party with family and friends at Abbeyfield Winnersh, the care home where he lives.
To start the afternoon’s festivities, staff and residents raised a toast to Chas and everyone sang ‘Happy Birthday’. He very readily accepted a few glasses of ‘nosecco’, joking and chatting to everyone, before he opened cards and presents. Abbeyfield Winnersh staff all chipped in to buy his card and impressive balloon, made by Claire Parrish at local business Balloon Boutique.
Chas was then joined for a tea party in the home’s summer house by five generations of his family, fellow residents and staff, where chef Joanna Tokar put on a great spread and served up a delicious birthday cake.
Chas has led a remarkable life and he had many adventures in the military, including a few lucky escapes, along with an accomplished career in accounts, a happy marriage and a large family.
Chas joined the Marines at 17 years of age, serving on the HMS London. He was onboard for the transportation of refugees from Barcelona to Marseilles during the Spanish Civil War and peacekeeping duties in the Mediterranean, before returning to the UK having had an operation for appendicitis.
When the Second World War broke out, Chas was transferred to the HMS Frobisher. He was mainly tasked as a signal radio operator on the English south coast and regularly had to take shelter from the constant German shelling after the invasion of France.
Chas was married to Joan in Portsmouth in 1940, but he was shortly recalled to military duty after they spent only a few weeks as newlyweds. They were to remain apart for over three years subsequently and, tragically, their wedding photographs were destroyed in the Portsmouth blitz.
Chas had several other narrow escapes whilst serving in the Marines. Whilst in Crete in 1941, following the German invasion, he was targeted by a dive bomber and blown off his motorbike. He also managed to avoid being hit in the midst of continuous bombing during a 50-mile trek through the mountains, eventually reaching the coast in time for evacuation to Egypt.
After retiring in 1968, he enjoyed travelling the world with Joan and delighted in the company of their son, Paul, and five generations of his family. Joan passed away at the age of 102, after 79 years of happy marriage.
Chas eventually settled at Abbeyfield Winnersh. Having subsequently battled through pneumonia and COVID, he is held in high esteem by everyone at the home and is a fantastic ambassador for the ‘Survival Generation’
Abbeyfield Winnersh activities coordinator, Charlotte Richardson, said, “Chas is much loved and a huge presence here. I’m so glad he enjoyed this amazing milestone with us. All our staff here helped make his birthday special and it was a pleasure speaking to his family and learning more about his amazing life.”
