Eric Birkin turns 100 after fine military and police career

Eric Birkin, who served with the Armed Forces between 1942 and 1948 turned 100 on September 19.

He was part of the D-Day landings during the Second World War.

Eric then went on to serve in Egypt and Palestine before being demobbed.

Celebrating - from left to right NARPO welfare officer David Rout, Eric Birkin and Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Fitchett MBE (Image: Credited) He had joined the Essex Regiment at the age of 18 and later joined the Suffolk Regiment.

He stayed in the Army until the age of 25, before serving as an Essex Police officer for 40 years until 1991.

Now, he is at a care home in Dovercourt.

Eric said: “A lot of my secret is sport. I used to play a lot of sport when I was younger and even when I joined the Army – cricket, football, hockey, bowls were all part of keeping myself busy.

Proud - Eric's wife Jo (right) stands proudly beside her husband holding his veterans badge (Image: Credited) “I can’t really sum up my achievements. I’ve never really looked back over my career, I’ve always thought about what’s going to happen in future.

“The outside world is going to change, whatever you do on the inside.

"You’ve got to have somebody in charge of you and if you haven’t, you get yourself into trouble.”

Memories - some newspaper cuttings and photos from Eric's career (Image: Credited) Wife Jo, 67 said: “It's hard to describe Eric because he is 100 per cent in everything he does and he's always been committed throughout his life, whether it was in his Army days or whether it was in his police days.

“Even as a family, he’s always been committed and he's just a brilliant man.

"I'm a very proud wife. I've been beside Eric for over 40 years and I couldn't wish for any better.

Card - Some kind words written for Eric's birthday as he reaches a century (Image: Credited) Lt Col Kevin Fitchett, of Colchester Garrison, said: “Although we didn’t serve together, we have a lot of mutual respect for these veterans and I know these veterans have a lot of mutual respect for those who are serving today.

“Serving from 1942 to 1945 - three years in the war - he started off as a gunner in the Essex Regiment and then transferred into the Suffolk Regiment.

“I can only imagine, having seen the various films and documentaries and speaking with veterans like like Eric, what they went through in those days."