Farnsfield man John Carr, known as Jack, was treated to a birthday cake and a card by staff at King’s Mill Hospital, Sutton, where he celebrated his 103rd birthday while recovering from pneumonia.

His room on Ward 41 was decorated with bunting, flags, and balloons so Jack didn’t miss out on celebrating his big day with his family.
Jack lived most of his life in Whitley Bay, Newcastle, before moving to Farnsfield with his late wife around 2000.

When asked what his secret was to a long life, he said: “I was going to say it was no excesses, but that isn’t true because I was a beer drinker for a long time, and I liked my white rum, syrup and soda in Madagascar (where served while in the Royal Engineers, from 1940-1946).

Staff nurse Dean Minett, who presented Jack with a commemorative mug to mark the coronation of King Charles III that was celebrated at the same time, said: “Jack is incredible. He’s very motivated and never wants to stay in bed, only to sleep.

“He is more mobile than some patients 30 years younger. He’s a credit to his family, who are really supportive.”

Jack’s two sons, Martin, who was visiting from his home in Spain, and Peter, who lives in Farnsfield, put their father’s advancing years down to hard work.

When Jack was 14 he worked 70 hours a week in a greengrocers. After serving in the Armed Forces, he helped to set up an onshore drilling company that was described as ‘his life’.

His sons described him as an ‘independent spirit who was always on the go, but had never exercised in his life’.

Peter said his father’s care at the hospital was incredible.

The League of Friends (Mansfield and Sutton) and The Friends of Newark Hospital were thanked for funding commemorative mugs for inpatients, along with teddies for Maternity and Children’s services, to mark the coronation.