Latest news with #RAFveteran
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
RAF veteran to become oldest Countdown contestant at 96
A 96-year-old RAF veteran recognised by the King for his charitable work will become the oldest contestant in Countdown history. Donald Elsom, who left school at 14, has been a dedicated viewer of the Channel 4 show for decades. An episode featuring the nonagenarian will air on Aug 11 at 2.10pm. Mr Elsom, a former RAF corporal from Stanley, County Durham, said: 'I enjoyed everything about the day – the photo will be framed and have a place next to the photo of me with King Charles. 'It was a lovely experience I will remember for the rest of my life.' Channel 4 said Mr Elsom had brought warmth, wit and wisdom to the long-running show, along with a sharp mind and love of numbers. Originally from Willingham, Cambridgeshire, Mr Elsom served in Singapore and what was then Malaya between 1950 and 1955. During a varied career after leaving the Royal Air Force, he worked as a police dog handler, a butcher, and a school site agent. Last year, he marked his 95th birthday by walking 95 laps around his local primary school over several months. Mr Elsom said he had taken inspiration from Cpt Sir Thomas Moore, who raised tens of millions of pounds for charity by walking 100 laps of his garden during the Covid-19 pandemic in the run-up to his 100th birthday. Mr Elsom raised over £4,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support, which had aided him after he was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2012. When he completed the challenge, he was cheered by children who then sang Happy Birthday to him. 'Very determined man' Jade Sorroll, Mr Elsom's 35-year-old granddaughter, told the BBC he was 'a very determined man'. Earlier this year, King Charles awarded him Maundy money to express gratitude for his charitable work. Countdown, which began on Channel 4 in 1982 and is currently hosted by Colin Murray, involves two contestants competing over 15 rounds to become the daily champion. Produced by Lifted Entertainment, part of ITV Studios, it is one of the longest-running game shows in the world. Previous elderly contestants have included Bertha Bourne, 87, who was a champion in 1994, and 89-year-old Geoffrey Green, who appeared in 2007.
BBC News
18-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Event to celebrate Knowle WW2 RAF veteran's 100th birthday
The 100th birthday of a World War Two RAF veteran will be celebrated at an event organised by the Royal British Albert Jacob, known as Jake, will mark his "incredible milestone" with family and friends at the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley on former Great Britain athlete was 17 when he joined the forces in 1943, but like many Black servicemen, he would have to wait decades for official recognition, said the RBL, only gaining the medals he was entitled to in 2023. Garry Stewart, RBL's community engagement officer, said it was important to "come together as a community to celebrate and pay thanks to Prince Albert Jacob on his momentous 100th birthday". "Victory would not have been achieved without the courage and fortitude of our greatest generation, to whom we owe our freedom and way of life," he signing up for the RAF, the teenager travelled to America for specialist training before arriving in Britain to begin military service during the height of the part of the ground crew, Jake played a vital role in keeping aircraft airworthy and ensuring the flow of supplies. When the war ended, Jake returned to Trinidad hoping his RAF skills would help him find work at the airport but was rejected. He returned to Britain in 1947, a year before the arrival of the Empire Windrush. He met his wife Mary, and the couple married in 1953 despite fierce disapproval from her family, who refused to attend the wedding. Their early years were marked by hostility, facing racist has previously described being treated as a "nonentity".After the war, Mr Jacob became a post office manager and settled with his wife in Knowle, Solihull. He also achieved success as an athlete, representing Great Britain as a runner in the 1950s. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
