Ex-soldier celebrates turning 100 on VE Day

A FORMER soldier has an extra reason to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day - because that's when he turns 100.

- By DAVE ROBSON

Len Smith, who now lives in an Ingleby Barwick care home, was born Thomas Leonard Smith in Hamsterley, County Durham, on May 8, 1925, before his family moved to Picton near Yarm.

Aged 17, and having initially joined the RAF on March 28,1944, six months later he instead opted to switch to the Army, which was looking for drivers.

After enrolling with the Royal Armoured Corps in September 1944, he travelled south to train on universal carriers before switching to Sherman tanks.