Jack Ovens, a much loved resident at The Royal Star & Garter Home in Surbiton, died on New Year’s Eve, aged 108. He was believed to be the 49th oldest person in the UK.

Born in Teddington, Middlesex, in 1906, Jack served in The Royal Dragoons regiment between 1926 and 1932. Starting as a Trooper, he was promoted to Corporal of Horse. Jack always had a great affinity with horses and was eventually in charge of 43 Army horses.

In 1929, he was posted to Secunderabad, India, where he recalled being impressed by the uniformed private armies of the Nizam of Hyderabad and the other fabulously wealthy maharajas of the time.

Jack was subsequently recalled to the Army during the Second World War, retraining as a tank driver and serving in Egypt and then Italy.

Jack Ovens was a resident of The Royal Star & Garter Homes from August 2012 until his death, aged 108, in December 2014. He will be greatly missed by his family, and by staff and residents of The Royal Star & Garter Homes.

Leave a message in memory of Jack on his Memorial Wall page.