An Army veteran has celebrated his 100th birthday at a care home in Worthing.
George Gaterell enjoyed a live concert at Care for Veterans – a Royal Star & Garter Home, on Friday 7 August. He also received a special 100th birthday card from Their Majesties The King and Queen.
The WWII veteran was joined by his son Richard, grandchildren and great grandchildren at the Home, which laid on a party for him. The centenarian has lived at Care for Veterans since 2025.
The charity provides long-term nursing, rehabilitation, respite and end-of-life care to veterans and their families who live with disabilities, including acquired brain injury and degenerative neurological conditions. It is now part of the Royal Star & Garter group, following a merger with the charity in April 2025.
George was born in Brighton on 7 August 1926 and grew up with his two brothers and a sister. In 1`944, aged 18, he was called up to the Army.
He joined a training regiment with the Highland Light Infantry in Glasgow for nine weeks before being posted to the Royal Armoured Corps. There he learned to drive tanks and other armoured vehicles. During his service he was posted to Egypt and Palestine.
After leaving the Army in 1947, George worked as a bus driver for Southdown Buses before moving into furniture removals. He later became an Assistant Mechanic for BT in Portslade and finished his career as a chauffeur for BT’s Regional Director.
George met Pat when he was 17 before he joined the Army. The couple married in 1951 and remained together until Pat’s death in 2020.
George moved to Care for Veterans after a stroke. He enjoys spending time in the Home’s Wellbeing Hub and taking part in the wide range of activities available.
Asked if there was a secret to his long life, George said:
“To stay as happy as you can, for as long as you can.”
Son Richard said:
“George and his family would like to thank all the staff at Care for Veterans for making his 100th birthday celebration so amazing. All the staff are always so friendly whenever we visit the Home.”
Care for Veterans is welcoming new residents and has recently launched a Day Care service. For more information on this, or to work at the Home, go to www.careforveterans.org.uk
