‘Plenty of red wine!’ – Former Navy and D-Day veteran turns 100 revealing his secret to a long life

A Horsham care home resident had a special birthday celebration to honour his status as one of the last surviving D-Day veterans from World War Two.

Geoffrey Albert Thomas Weaving, known by loved ones as Geoff, celebrated his 100^th birthday on 17^th September with family, residents, and team members from Care UK’s Skylark House, in Horsham, where he lives. 

The team at Skylark House knew they wanted to do an extra special celebration for Geoff and joined forces with his family to create a memorable day. 

On the big day, Geoff, his family, and all at Skylark House were treated to entertainment by Samantha who sang songs from the 1940s. In true birthday fashion, the team at Skylark House decorated the home’s lounge with birthday balloons and banners and the home’s Head Chef baked a birthday cake, much to Geoff’s surprise. 

The centurion also revealed his secret to living a long life, which he first starting on holidays in France after the War: “Drink plenty of red wine! It hasn’t done me any harm!”.

Geoff was born on 17^th September 1923 in Glasshoughton in Yorkshire. He joined the Royal Navy in 1942, aged just 19, where he first trained as a wireless operator learning morse code and lamp signalling. 

Just two years into his naval career, Geoff boarded HMS Astral in 1944, to join the fleet of ships in the Solent at Portsmouth ahead of D-Day. Geoff was tasked with listening out for the presence of German ships and helping to send messages between British boats using the survey flotilla. The ship was later awarded the Battle of Honour Normandy 1944 for its role on D-Day. 

After the war, Geoff forged a successful career as a Bank Manager for Midland Bank, now known as HSBC. Geoff’s banking career saw him move around the country to work at different branches, including Yorkshire, Sheffield, and Leeds, before he retired to Exmouth, and later settling in Horsham in 1997. 

Geoff has three children, Jacqueline, John, and Stephanie, six grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren who regularly visit Geoff at Skylark House. 

Jacqueline, Geoff’s daughter comments: “I am so happy our Dad is still here & able to celebrate his 100^th birthday, and look forward to the next few years together. I think it’s incredible that at such a young age, Dad left home to help defend his country. As a family we are incredibly proud of all his achievements.”

Dorota Woloszyn, Home Manager at Skylark House, said: “Geoff is a much-loved resident here at Skylark House. Inspired by Geoff’s history in the Navy, we were excited to organise a truly special birthday for his milestone. 

“Here at Skylark House, we always like to celebrate significant milestones, and Geoff’s 100^th birthday was no exception. The team worked tirelessly to make sure his day was one to remember, and we would like to thank everyone who came along to wish Geoff a happy birthday.

“It has been a day of honouring all of Geoff’s many achievements and one we will not forget for a long time to come. A very happy birthday Geoff!” 

Skylark House has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives. The home provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite and palliative care.