War veteran Norman celebrates turning 100
A Second World War veteran from Wolverhampton has celebrated his 100th birthday.
Norman Dalton was born on January 11, 1920, in Tettenhall Wood to Florence and Benjamin Dalton - the youngest of 10 siblings.
He was a painter and decorator by trade, but at the age of 20 he was enlisted in the Second Battalion West Yorkshire regiment and served in the army for six years. His career in the forces took him to Africa, India and Burma where he was part of the Forgotten Army, nicknamed because of its overlooked operations during the Burma campaign.
Norman was awarded numerous medals in recognition for his time serving, including the 1939-to-1945 Star, Africa Star, Burma Star, Military Medal and 1945 Medal.
Jenny Dalton, his granddaughter who now lives in Wiltshire, said: "He is very modest and doesn't talk about his time in the army a lot. For his birthday, we got all of his medals hung together for the first time so he could wear them, which was really special.
"He was also treated to a visit from Colonel Charles Le Brun, who presented him with signed certificates from both the Prince of Wales Own Regiment and the Yorkshire Regiment, as it is known today."
Post-war, Norman continued life as a painter and decorator, working in Ansell's pubs in and around Wolverhampton and Walsall, where he met the love of his life Elsie. They married and had one son Cedric, three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren and eventually settled down in Churchbridge, Cannock.
Norman went on to work in maintenance at Walsall Power Station until it's closure and he still keeps in touch with old work colleagues, with some coming to celebrate his special birthday with him.
In his heyday Norman was a keen crown green bowler and a member of both the Cheslyn Hay and Bridgetown Bowls Clubs. He also enjoyed walking and picnicking at Cannock Chase with his family or taking coach trips around the British Isles.
Ms Dalton added: "He has always been active and he never learnt to drive, so he was always walking. I think that's his secret. We have always had lots of fun together, especially when we were younger. He was always taking us on trips, he's done a lot for us.
"I think he is just an amazing man and I'm sure he'll be around for a few more years."
