WW2 pilot raises cuppa to
A World War Two pilot has celebrated turning 100-years-old.
Centenarian Harry Gamper has now lived through a global war and a global pandemic.
The great-grandfather celebrated his 100th birthday under strange circumstances with a special afternoon tea at his home in Malin Court, Maidens.
He was joined by friends and staff in the restaurant to toast his birthday and read his congratulatory birthday card from the Queen.
Due to Covid-19 regulations preventing visitors from entering, special guests took to the front of the care home and hotel to ensure Harry had the best day possible given the circumstances.
A piper, drummer and two members from RAFA marched down the drive in front of the restaurant so residents inside could see and hear them.
Harry, originally of Surrey, said: “I am happy for this day and receiving my letter from the Queen has been the highlight.”
Keen artist Harry joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1941 at the age of just 21. The former
Coastal Command pilot clocked up 1000 hours of flying time in his RAF career, although he previously admitted “that’s nothing these days”.
Harry took to the skies in the likes of Warwicks, Wellingtons and a Catalina flying boat.
Reliving D-Day, Harry previously told the Post: “It was absolutely incredible. I’ll never forget it. For a whole week before D-Day, nobody was allowed off the aerodrome. So something big was going to happen.
“The Channel was extraordinary – I think you could have almost walked across the Channel because every boat was going across it.”
Harry even won campaign medals for his service in France and Germany, including a Battle of the Atlantic medal.
He left the RAF in 1946 and went on to marry and have two sons, David and Andrew. He has a famous relative, Swizz uncle Hans-Max Gamper who founded Barcelona Football Club.
Harry said: “My life has been so interesting from my days in Dorset with my family and latterly Switzerland; my time in the RAF as a pilot.I have been able and fortunate to travel to America,
Africa and Europe.”
Harry said the secret to long life is “everything in moderation” and added: “Enjoying things like music and art, good food and the odd glass of wine.
“Being outside in the fresh air especially next to the seaside like we are here.
“It is so beautiful.”
The secret to long life? Everything in moderation... enjoy music and art, good food and the odd glass of wine