WWII Spitfire engineer who lived in Warwick for 50 years gets ready to celebrate his 100th birthday

A man who lived in Warwick for more than 50 years and worked on Spitfires during World War Two is celebrating his 100th birthday this week.

Archibald Saunders, who is also known as Archie, is due to turn 100 on May 6.

Speaking about turning 100, Archie said: "I’m surprised to reach 100 and thank you to everyone for their good wishes.

"I’ve lived a full life with the love of a good woman, Nancy, for over 80 years.

"I get up each day and get done whatever needs doing and try to fit in a walk to keep me moving.”

Originally from Malvern, Archie moved to Birmingham at the start of World War Two and met Nancy, who would become his wife, when they both worked at the spitfire factory at Castle Bromwich.

Archie and Nancy married in 1943 in Erdington and had two sons.

Archie also served with the the Corps of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) in India and Burma where he was made a sergeant.

After the war, he returned to family life in Birmingham, brought up two sons had various jobs including work in testing for Morris and Lucas.

The family had two shops in Birmingham before moving to Warwick in 1960 where they lived above the shop in the Market Square and later Coventry Road and the Woodloes.

They also ran the women’s clothing shop, Ann Saunders, in Brook Street.

Archie and Nancy remained in Warwick until 2017 when they moved to Tiddington Court near Stratford where the management team have looked after them and kept them safe. They have six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Melissa Saunders, Archie's granddaughter said: "Grandad has enjoyed a lifelong fascination with everything mechanical; aeroplanes, steam trains, motorcycles and cars.

"He also used to play the organ and was a keen photographer in his younger days.

"Due to the restrictions in place, celebrations on the day will be limited but my Grandad is hoping to receive a card from HM The Queen and we will be making a fuss of him as best we can."