A World War Two veteran who served in the Irish Guards celebrated his 100th birthday with an emotional surprise that took him straight back to his army days.

William Cook, known as Roy to those close to him, marked the milestone surrounded by loved ones at Balgowan House in Saltwood, near Hythe, on Wednesday afternoon (October 22).

The 100-year-old, who says his secret to a long life is down to his time in the Irish Guards, was visibly moved as a piper walked into the room playing the tunes of his regiment.

Roy’s daughter, Sandra Cook, had arranged the surprise to make the day even more memorable for her father, who spent years serving his country during the Second World War.

“It was such a nice surprise,” Roy said.

“The piper brought back so many memories, it was all quite emotional and took me right back to when I was in the army.”

The veteran, who still stands straight-backed despite his age, said the moment reminded him how grateful he is for everything in his life.

“It’s been very difficult at times and it’s been very frightening at times,” he reflected.

“But I always keep saying how lucky I am.”

Called upon as the surprise piper, Ross Fraser, from Tain in the Scottish Highlands, performed Danny Boy, Happy Birthday and St Patrick’s Day - the latter being the regimental march of the Irish Guards.

The 28-year-old said it was an “absolute honour” to play for such a “living legend” on his big day.

“All of the parades we do are always very special, but something like this is far more personal,” Ross said.

“This is my first ever 100th birthday performance, and it’s one I’ll never forget.”

As the music filled the corridors of the care home, Roy sat quietly to take it all in as memories of his time in uniform came flooding back.

Everyone gathered joined in for the Happy Birthday section of the performance, which ended with warm applause and a heartfelt speech of thanks from Roy.

Born in East Ham, Roy still proudly calls himself a Cockney boy at heart, though he’s spent much of his later life in Kent.

He met his wife, Annette, now 93, 51 years ago in Sidcup, where he worked in a bank next door to the solicitor’s office where she was employed.

“She’s always been by my side and looked after me very well,” he said with a bright smile in her direction.

The couple now live together at Balgowan House after more than 20 years in North Road, Hythe, and Roy says he feels lucky to have spent so much of his later life by the coast.

“I’m very, very honoured that everyone has come today,” he said.

“My wife and I have been exceptionally lucky in our lives, and I always say thank you, though I do think saying thank you doesn’t mean much anymore.

“But honestly, we do really mean it, we are so grateful to everyone and everything we have experienced.”

Roy also praised the care home staff by describing how they “go above and beyond their duties to make sure everyone is alright.”

He ended his string of thank yous with appreciation for his daughter Sandra, who he says has always been behind him.

Though most of the afternoon was spent celebrating, Roy’s memories of the war remained close to his heart, especially with the surprise of the piper.

He served with the Irish Guards during the Second World War and fought in Operation Market Garden - the campaign that pushed through Belgium and Holland to relieve paratroopers at Arnhem.

During the battle, he was wounded in Holland when he was impaled on cemetery railings while trying to reach a German machine-gun post.

Nine of his comrades were killed that day, and Roy says he will “never, ever, ever forget every single one of them.”

In 2021, he was presented with the Dutch Liberation Medal by the Dutch Embassy for helping to free the Netherlands, an honour he said “meant the world”.

And for all his years in the army, Roy says it’s those days in uniform that shaped the man he became, and may even hold the secret to his long life.

“It’s all down to my time with the Irish Guards,” he said.

“I’m so thankful for my days in the army, and that’s what my long life is down to.”

As the celebrations continued, Roy raised a glass to those around him and smiled as everyone sang one last round of Happy Birthday.

And with his trademark humour, evident from the moment you meet him, he ended his speech in typical Roy fashion.

“See you next year!”