World War Two veterans celebrate turning 100 on the same day

George McLeod had a family gathering on Saturday to celebrate his 100th birthday

Two veterans who fought in the same Scottish regiment more than 80 years ago are celebrating their 100th birthdays.

Douglas Baldwin and George McLeod, who have never met, both served in the King's Own Scottish Borderers (KOSB) during World War Two.

Mr Baldwin was part of the 6th battalion KOSB and was sent to Normandy shortly after D-Day in June 1944.

Mr McLeod, who was a member of the 4th battalion, saw active service in Northern Europe from October 1944 until a few years after the war. He then stayed on as part of the occupation force liberating Germany and the Netherlands.

Douglas Baldwin was given a birthday gift by the KOSB Association.

He specialised in electronics such as using morse code and intercepting information from the enemy.

During November 1944 he celebrated his 19th birthday with a party his officer put on for him.

A tearful Mr McLeod, now celebrating his centenary, told the BBC how he heard the war was over more than 80 years ago, while waiting to invade a town.

He recalled: "There was a village and this women came out the house said the war was over."

"The 8th of May, I will always remember the date.

"These people were coming out of their houses and shaking hands and that was the end of the war. It was quite cheery."

George McLeod said his best day of the war was the 8th of May when he found out it was over

Mr McLeod said it was important to keep remembering all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

He added: "So we don't need to do it again. If we keep talking about it and making people understand that you are killing people for no particular reason then I think it's time to stop the fighting."

As part of his 100th birthday celebrations Mr McLeod had a family gathering at the Royal Burgess Golf Club in Edinburgh on Saturday.

Douglas Baldwin fought at Normandy when he was just 18 years old

Douglas Baldwin was just 18 when he landed at Normandy in 1944.

He had enlisted for army training at Colchester in England and was sent to France to help reinforce units that had taken losses during the D-Day landings.

He previously told the BBC: "I felt like a hero before I even landed in Normandy."

When he got to France, Mr Baldwin did not have a regiment and it was only after he arrived that he was allocated to the KOSB 6th battalion.

Mr Baldwin recalled that he almost did not even make it to join his battalion.

He said the truck taking him to the fighting came to a sudden halt and the driver shouted for everybody to get out.

Within seconds the it exploded after being hit by an enemy shell.

Mr Baldwin later saw action as the 6th battalion made its way south through the Normandy countryside but was captured on 8 August in the village of Estry.

He was taken to a number of prisoner of war camps before ending up at Stalag 4d, near Leipzig, which was later liberated by the allied forces.

As recognition for his service Douglas Baldwin received the Legion d'Honneur

In 2021 he received the Legion d'Honneur, France's highest military honour, in recognition of his service during the war.

He previously said that "freedom to do what you want" was the secret to happiness.

Mr Baldwin celebrated his 100th birthday with a family gathering at his care home in Bedford on Sunday.

Who are the KOSB?

The King's Own Scottish Borderers (KOSB) was a regiment of the British Army that was founded in 1689 and served for more than 300 years in conflicts around the world, including World War Two.

The regiment was known for the courage, discipline and loyalty they displayed during battles.

It is no longer an independent regiment after it merged with five other Scottish regiments into The Royal Regiment of Scotland in 2006.

The KOSB Association and the King's Own Scottish Borderers Museum in Berwick-upon-Tweed now preserve the history and traditions of the regiment, with the hope of honouring the service and sacrifices of all those who served in it.

George McLeod (sat on the right) was a private in the 4th battalion of the KOSB

As part of the veterans' 100th birthday celebrations, senior members of the KOSB regiment attended the events organised for Mr McLeod and Mr Baldwin.

The KOSB association gave both veterans a bespoke birthday card and a copy of the most recent regimental history book with a commemorative certificate.

Russell Combe, vice-chairman of the King's Own Scottish Borderers Association, said: "It is extraordinary that two men who fought in the same regiment and in the same campaign, have reached 100 on the same day."

He said the veterans stories "represent the best of Scottish service, honour and courage".