Former WW2 pilot celebrates his birthday saying 'I don’t feel 103'

A former WW2 pilot celebrated his 103rd birthday saying: “I have had a good day, I don’t feel 103.”

Eric Lewiston, who has lived at Hallmark Care Home, Anisha Grange in Billericay, Essex for three years, spent the day with his daughter Erica, friends and other well-wishers at an afternoon tea party held in his honour by the home.

Eric Lewiston who was born on 12th May 1913 and was originally from Walthamstow, flew Mosquito planes in Bomber Command for the RAF in 1939. He also played an important part in the Bruneval Raid which was designed to capture critical parts of the enemy radar installation on the coast of France at Bruneval and bring them back to the UK.

His daughter Erica Godfrey, said: “Eric is a really good person, and he is never petty or judgemental.

“When I was younger if I ever had a problem I know I could come to him and he will sort it out without ever making a scene, and I brought my children up in the same way.”

When Eric left the RAF after the war he was one of two surviving members in an intake of 28. He settled in Billericay and started an import and export company before opening the first Portuguese restaurant in London during the 1960s.

Eric met his wife Marjorie aged 15 through his sister and married her at St Mary’s Church in Walthamstow on 14th October 1939. They were together for 63 years. He has two children, daughter Erica and son Alan, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Eric’s family says his secret to longevity is not drinking, smoking and growing his own fruit and vegetables in his garden in his younger years.

Anisha Grange care home is part of Hallmark Care Homes, with 15 care homes across England and Wales.

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