WW2 hero has message for Brits as he celebrates 101st birthday on Armistice Day

Roysl Navy hero John King celebrated his 101st birthday on Armistice Day.

Duty called for the proud veteran who participated in a two-minute silence at Bennetts Castle Care Home in Dagenham before sharing a specially-made chocolate cake with fellow residents.

John signed up to the Senior Service in April 1943 and joined the 14th Destroyer Flotilla serving aboard HMS Janus, named after the Roman god, when he was 18.

He served at The Battle of Anzio, a crucial amphibious landing by Allied forces in 1944, as a sight-setter on the warship's stern gun.

HMS Janus rained down more than 500 shells in the first two days in support of Allied troops but was sunk when she was struck by a torpedo off western Italy. Only 80 of her crew survived.

Sailor John was close friends with fellow Second World War braveheart Bill Gladden who died aged 100 just six weeks before the 80th anniversary of D-Day last year and never got to say his final goodbyes.

When he made an emotional pilgrimage to Northern France with the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans his first task was to visit Le Grand Bunker, near Sword Beach, where he stopped to read Bill's name as the most recent addition to a memorial honouring fallen heroes.

He said: "People ask why we all look so cheerful and keep going on such a tiring trip. Well, you've only got one life, so live each day as though it was your last. That was Bill's motto - and it is mine too."