Birthday surprise for 98-year-old Wolverhampton war veteran
A Wolverhampton Second World War veteran received a touching birthday surprise after ill health forced him to miss out on the 80th anniversary VE Day celebrations earlier in the summer.
Albert Clinton, from Fallings Park, who turned 98, turned up as normal for his daily visit to his local cafe, The Diner & Grill in Raynor Road, yesterday (July 21) but was surprised to find the Mayor of Wolverhampton waiting for him as well as soldiers from local army units.
The Mayor, Cllr Craig Collingswood, presented Albert with a a Scottish Glengarry Royal Scottish Fusilier Cap which had been arranged by the army and a birthday card on behalf of the city.
Pupils from St Mary’s Catholic Academy had also left handmade birthday cards to make Albert feel special on his big day.
Albert was assigned to The Royal Scottish Fusiliers during the war as a dispatch motorbike rider in Germany and reached the rank of Corporal. He also served in India.
The Mayor said: “For me, this is what being Mayor is all about. I was sorry to learn Albert had missed out on attending the VE Day 80 events, so I was only too happy to attend and surprise him on his 98th birthday.
"Albert’s sacrifice and service deserve our deepest gratitude, and this was about showing him that he’s not forgotten.”
"Albert was a very modest chap, he was quite embarrassed by all the fuss, but he deserved every moment of it."
