Chas is one of the ‘Survival Generation’

Albert ‘Chas’ Clegg, a former Commando in the Royal Marines, has celebrated turning 106 years old with a tea party with family and friends at Abbeyfield Winnersh, the care home where he lives.

To start the afternoon’s festivities, staff and residents raised a toast to Chas and everyone sang ‘Happy Birthday’. He very readily accepted a few glasses of 'nosecco', joking and chatting to everyone, before he opened cards and presents. Abbeyfield Winnersh staff all chipped in to buy his card and impressive balloon, made by Claire Parrish at local business Balloon Boutique.

Chas was then joined for a tea party in the home’s summer house by five generations of his family, fellow residents and staff, where chef Joanna Tokar put on a great spread and served up a delicious birthday cake.

Chas has led a remarkable life and he had many adventures in the military, including a few lucky escapes, along with an accomplished career in accounts, a happy marriage and a large family.

Chas joined the Marines at 17 years of age, serving on the HMS London. He was onboard for the transportation of refugees from Barcelona to Marseilles during the Spanish Civil War and peacekeeping duties in the Mediterranean, before returning to the UK having had an operation for appendicitis.

Old photos of Chas in his uniform with family

When the Second World War broke out, Chas was transferred to the HMS Frobisher. He was mainly tasked as a signal radio operator on the English south coast and regularly had to take shelter from the constant German shelling after the invasion of France.

Chas was married to Joan in Portsmouth in 1940, but he was shortly recalled to military duty after they spent only a few weeks as newlyweds. They were to remain apart for over three years subsequently and, tragically, their wedding photographs were destroyed in the Portsmouth blitz.

Chas had several other narrow escapes whilst serving in the Marines. Whilst in Crete in 1941, following the German invasion, he was targeted by a dive bomber and blown off his motorbike. He also managed to avoid being hit in the midst of continuous bombing during a 50-mile trek through the mountains, eventually reaching the coast in time for evacuation to Egypt.

After reaching Alexandria, Chas was treated for a septic knee, before being posted to a British naval base in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in 1943. He was admitted to hospital again, this time with dengue fever and malaria, and eventually invalided home in February 1944. He was promoted to Sergeant and spent the remainder of the war at Eastney Barracks in Portsmouth.

Although selected for officer training, Chas left the army before commission, starting a career in accounts and working his way up to divisional cashier of the Central Electricity Board. After retiring in 1968, he enjoyed travelling the world with Joan and delighted in the company of their son, Paul, and five generations of his family.

Joan passed away at the age of 102, after 79 years of happy marriage. Chas came to live with Paul and his wife but had another near miss after falling down the stairs, having stubbornly refused to use the stairlift they had installed. The paramedics were amazed that he could survive such a serious fall without breaking anything!

After moving to his own flat for a short while, Chas eventually settled at Abbeyfield Winnersh. Having subsequently battled through pneumonia and COVID, he is held in high esteem by everyone at the home and is a fantastic ambassador for the ‘Survival Generation’.

Nowadays, Chas is enjoying his life at Abbeyfield Winnersh, with all his needs provided for. He still likes a good chat and loves his food – whether it’s some chocolate, a good cup of tea or a full English breakfast! He especially loves it when people bring in dogs to visit, whether as pets or for the home’s regular Pets as Therapy sessions.

Abbeyfield Winnersh activities coordinator, Charlotte Richardson, said, “Chas is much loved and a huge presence here. I'm so glad he enjoyed this amazing milestone with us. All our staff here helped make his birthday special and it was a pleasure speaking to his family and learning more about his amazing life.”

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