A WW2 veteran with no surviving relatives today (Fri) celebrated his 105th birthday with more 3,000 cards from kind-hearted strangers after a charity appeal.
Ernest Horsfall, who has seen 27 Prime Ministers and five British monarchs in his lifetime, said he was 'surprised and amazed;' at how many people wrote to him.
He was showered with cards from generous well-wishers after the Royal British Legion called for the brave ex-servicemen to be honoured for his landmark birthday.
After opening all his cards, he said he was looking forward to spending time with his girlfriend Margaret, 63, who flew in fro Iceland to be with him on his special day.
Speaking from the care home in Preston, Lancs., where he lives, Ernest said: “I say thank you to you all.
"I’m utterly surprised and amazed at the number of greeting cards that came my way."
The ex-staff sergeant served with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) from 1940 to 1946, before settling in Preston, Lancs., where he worked for Vauxhall Motors.
