A SECOND World War veteran - and award winning dancer - is set to celebrate his 100th birthday this month.

John Naylor was born on 18 August 1920 in Rainhill,.

He was married in 1941 to May and had two sons, Barrie and Russell who have both since died.

He has two grandchildren, Helen and Chris who live in Canada.

He started work at 14 in the BICC, Prescot in the Drum department after leaving Whiston Central Modern School.

He served with the RAF during the Second World War where he used to do maintenance on the Spitfires.

He used to warm up the engines for the pilots, amongst other things.

One of his favourite war stories, that his granddaughter Helen remembers him telling her was having to eat sardines in tomato sauce day after day, because that was all that was available.

John served six years with the RAF from 1940 to 1946. He served overseas in Canada from 1943/44.

On his release his rank was Corporal, and the Squadron Leader’s comments were ‘A reliable, efficient worker who has given entire satisfaction’.

After he returned home, he worked in Prescot Service Division, where he was employed as a machinist for more than 40 years.

He was a keen cyclist in his youth and he and his wife were in a cycling club and would cycle every Sunday.

They also both enjoyed swimming and used to swim at the local pool regularly.

He also enjoyed fishing, motoring and dancing, for which he and his wife have won several gold medals.

He still enjoys going to St Helens Town Hall Tea Dance - until Covid-19 struck.

He has lived in Cedric House Residential Home in Rainhill since 2017 and is loved by all management and staff. He will be celebrating his milestone birthday there with them.

n If you have a milestone birthday or anniversary coming up, let us know by emailing news@sthelensstar.co.uk