Southampton veteran returns to HMS Collingwood to mark 100th birthday

Bernard Beckett was able to visit his former training base, HMS Collingwood, in Fareham, organised by the Royal British Legion to celebrate his centenary.

Bernie was called up in December 1941 at 18, and completed his training at HMS Collingwood before serving in the Royal Navy for five years.

Bernie was treated to a tour of the training base and 'Happy Birthday' was sung n the SNCO’s Mess on Monday.

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Bernie has been a member of the Royal British Legion for 18 years, and also a Poppy Appeal collector in Eastleigh and Southampton.

One year he raised almost £1,000 in a week for the armed forces charity.

Bernie has also been supported by the Royal British Legion.

The armed forces charity helped him get a fridge and freezer as well as new carpets in 2005 and provided him with two welfare breaks in Weston-Super-Mare.

He said: "When I see people wearing a poppy, I remember those who we lost during World War Two.

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"I was lucky to only suffer shrapnel wounds during the war where I was treated in Gibraltar, but so many weren’t as fortunate as me.

"Wearing your poppy shows that the service and sacrifice of the chaps we lost will never be forgotten.”

The money raised by Bernard for the RBL over the years goes to supporting the needs of the armed forces community, including veterans, serving personnel and their families.

Claire Smith, community fundraiser for Hampshire for the Royal British Legion, said: “Poppy sellers have been out and about in Hampshire since Thursday, October 27, so please do buy a poppy and give what you can.

"Funds raised through the RBL’s Poppy Appeal mean we can continue our vital work of supporting serving personnel, veterans and their families through hardships, injuries and bereavement.

“We would also urge any veteran or member of their family in need of help to contact the RBL as soon as possible.”

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