Kentish Express Ashford & District
War veteran Eddie hits centenary
A Second World War veteran has celebrated his 100th birthday in style with a range of heart-warming events to mark the occasion.
Edmund Joynson, or Eddie, became a centenarian yesterday (Wednesday) and did not let the Covid restrictions dampen his spirits.
Eddie - originally from Leeds - served in the RAF as a ground crew engineer working mainly on Hurricanes, Spitfires and Blenheims, spending some of his service in the Middle East.
During his RAF days he met and married his wife Rose, from Great Chart, and later the couple would move to their Smeeth home where he has lived for more than 30 years.
Rose sadly passed away a few years ago after more than 60 years of marriage, but the pair made quite a legacy.
Eddie and Rose had three sons and a daughter, and from them they now have 12 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and five great, great-grandchildren.
After leaving the RAF and in peacetime, Eddie worked as a civilian at the now-redeveloped REME workshops in Ashford.
Besides his normal duties, one of his great achievements was with a team that he led in designing and building a remote-controlled vehicle which appeared one year at the Royal Tournament.
Working his way up in the REME, he left Ashford and went to various units before retiring from the Woolwich Barracks.
Since retiring, he took to the sport of bowls, and was a member at Sellindge Bowls Club for a number of years.
More recently, Eddie has shown his enthusiasm for the game at the Ashford Indoor Bowls Centre in the town’s Victoria Park - and continued to play until Covid temporarily closed the centre last year.
He is the first member of the Ashford club to reach 100, and the achievement is being recognised with a plaque being erected in his name in the building.
Eddie - described by his family as a “strong-willed Yorkshireman with a very independent spirit” - received happy birthday wishes from Her Majesty The Queen, the Mayor of Ashford, family and friends, local and national Royal British Legion, Smeeth schoolchildren and community members.
Despite the lockdown, he has kept in touch with his family using his “invaluable iPad” as he is known to be keen in embracing modern technology.
His daughter Rosemarie added: “Eddie is outwardly quiet, strong-willed with a typical Yorkshire manner and attitude.
“He has a loving, caring nature particularly around his large and extensive family.
“Ask him for the secret of his long life and he will say that he married the right lady and that he has a wonderful family all around him.
“As the patriarch of the family, he has always been there for everyone to provide advice, support and love when needed.
“He richly deserves to reach 100 years old and receive his telegram from the Queen and all the joy and love that his birthday will bring.”
On The Michael Ball Show on BBC Radio 2 on Sunday, Ashford Indoor Bowls Club wished Eddie a happy birthday.