A man who lived in the same street for more than a century has died.

Harold Reed, of Dover, passed away due to coronavirus on Christmas Eve aged 101.

He had lived in Dickson Road in Tower Hamlets all his life until he had to move to a care home in May.

Mr Reed made the headlines when his neighbours, having to keep socially distanced, came out onto his street and sang Happy Birthday to him in April.

His son Victor told KentOnline: "He never needed to leave Dickson Road and he loved it there.

"Neighbourhoods are different now but he knew every person who lived in that street in the late 50s and early 60s.

"All in all, dad had a very happy and fulfilled life and his memories will continue with his family for many years to come."

Mr Reed was born in Dickson Road on April 21, 1919, the youngest of 10 children.

In the 1920s he attended the then St Bartholomew's primary school in nearby Widred Road.

His father died when he was 12 and he immediately left school to support the family.

He was granted permission to do this by his headmaster as long as he got a job.

Mr Reed secured one at the Alston's gentleman’s outfitters in Biggin Street, Dover, in the packing and delivery section.

By the time of the Second World War Mr Reed was a miner in the Kent Coalfield.

He could not fight on the front line as his was a reserved occupation but he joined the Home Guard and was posted to a gun battery on the Eastern Arm of Dover Harbour.

After the war, for the rest of his working life he was a roofer and tiler for the firm John Williams, then based in Snargate Street and now in Lympne.

He continued working there until 1988 when he was 69.

Mr Reed married his wife Phyllis in 1948 and the couple first lived in his family home before moving across the street in 1957.

"He sometimes took on evening and weekend work to pay for holidays that we would otherwise have not been able to afford."

He could see his old house from his new one.

The couple had three children, Victor, now 64, Brian, now 58, and Alan who died of a heart attack two years ago aged 69.

Phyllis died in 2003.

Mr Reed spent his last months at the Alandale Residential Home in Whitfield.

Victor said: "His family was his life so he didn't have time for hobbies.

"He was a loving dad, very caring.

"Growing up up in the late 50s and 60s, times were happy but sometimes quite harsh, but he provided well for our family.

"He sometimes took on evening and weekend work to pay for holidays that we would otherwise have not been able to afford."

The family say that for nearly all his life Mr Reed was very fit and healthy.

But about six years ago he needed more help around the home as his eyesight and mobility deteriorated.

Victor's wife Mandy cared for Mr Reed, plus Brian and his wife Sharon, until it was found he needed the specialist help of a residential home.

Victor said: "The staff at Alandale were absolutely amazing in looking after dad during his short period of time with them, sadly cut short due the contracting Covid-19."

Mr Reed also leaves eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements are due to be confirmed.

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