Havant Second World War veteran celebrates turning 108

Mr Moore said one of the secrets to his long life was to avoid stress

A war veteran has celebrated turning 108 surrounded by his family.

Francis Eric Moore, from Portsmouth, is now believed to be the eighth oldest man in the UK.

Mr Moore celebrated his birthday with his four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.

He was born in 1916, when George V was king and has lived through five different monarchs.

His granddaughter Petra organised a party, with special appearances from former Portsmouth goalkeeper Alan Knight and the mayor of Havant, Rosy Raines.

Mayor Raines described Mr Moore as "amazing" after meeting him and his family at the birthday party.

Evelyn and Eric Moore were married in Egypt in 1942

Mr Moore served in the army during the Second World War, where he gained the nickname Pony.

During his service, Mr Moore spent time in Palestine, in an RAF dental hospital in Tel Aviv, and eight years in Egypt as a lance corporal.

It was at the beginning of World War II, while based in the Mustafa barracks in Alexandria, that he met his wife Evelyn, while she was posted there to work as a typist and who sang to the troops.

Eric and Evelyn Moore celebrating their 78th wedding anniversary in 2020

Mr Moore said she had a "beautiful voice" and they got married in 1942, before having two daughters, Carole and Sue.

Evelyn died in 2020 at the age of 97.

Mr Moore was discharged from the army after contracting tuberculosis in Singapore.

The Moore family lived in a Southsea hotel for transitioning army families.

They then moved to council quarters in Ramsdale Avenue in Leigh Park and Mr Moore worked with a neighbour to create the Park House Self-build Housing Association Ltd.

He said he was "very proud" of the two cul-de-sacs he helped build, while working as an accountant.

Mr Moore with his great-great granddaughter

Mr Moore said the secret to his long life was avoiding stress.

He explained: "I don't do stress, I just ignore it. It doesn't happen. I sleep very well. When my head hits the pillow, I'm gone.

"I would live it all again and I wouldn't change a thing. Why would I?"

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