A WWII seaman has marked his 100^th birthday with his family at a care home in Solihull.

Wilson Cotton had a small party at Royal Star & Garter on his birthday on Sunday 9 August, attended by his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The centenarian, who was in the Merchant Navy during WWII, moved to the Home earlier this year.

Royal Star & Garter is a charity which provides loving, compassionate care and support to veterans and their families – as well as those who served in the Merchant Navy in hostile waters – living with disability or dementia, from Homes in Solihull, Surbiton, High Wycombe and Worthing. It also runs services reaching out into the community including Day Care, Lunch Club and a national Telephone Friendship Service.

Wilson was born in Sunderland on 9 August 1926. In 1943, aged 17, he followed a longstanding family tradition by joining the Merchant Navy. During WWII his vessel came under enemy fire while he was at sea – once from a U-Boat while in the Atlantic, and another by Nazi aircraft as his ship was anchored off Naples, Italy.

War medals

Wilson received The 1939-1945 Star, The Atlantic Star, The Italy Star and The War Medal 1939-45 for his work during WWII.

After leaving the Merchant Navy in 1949, Wilson trained as a structural engineer, specialising in aluminium. He eventually worked in management for Canadian mining and aluminium manufacturers Alcan.

He wed his long-time sweetheart Doreen in 1951. The couple had three children. Doreen sadly died in 2025, and Wilson moved to Royal Star & Garter earlier this year.

Wilson said: “I enjoyed my birthday party and spending it with my family.”

His son, also named Wilson, said: “We all had a wonderful time celebrating Dad’s incredible milestone together. I’d like to thank the staff at the Home for making his 100^th birthday so memorable, and for the fantastic care he receives. We’re lucky he’s at Royal Star & Garter.”

Royal Star & Garter in Solihull is welcoming new residents. For more information on this, the other services it offers to the veterans’ community or to work at the Home, go to www.starandgarter.org/solihull