A REMARKABLE life spanning a century was celebrated in style as a decorated war veteran and former county cricketer marked his 100th birthday in Salisbury.

Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Collyns was guest of honour at a special celebration at Braemar Lodge Care Home, where he has lived since 2022; achieving what friends and family proudly called “100 not out”.

Born into a Somerset family of medical professionals, Anthony attended Marlborough College before joining the army at just 18.

Many gathered to wish Anthony well.

Commissioned into the Somerset Light Infantry in 1945, he served at the close of the Second World War and was part of the last British regiment to leave India after independence in 1948.

His distinguished military career also took him to post-war Germany, the jungles of Malaya and the conflict zones of Cyprus and the Middle East, eventually rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel before retiring in 1981.

But his service didn’t stop there.

Back in civilian life, Anthony continued to give back to his community, volunteering as an ambulance driver and delivering meals on wheels.

Alongside his military achievements, he nurtured a lifelong love of cricket – even playing for Somerset in his younger days and joining Marylebone Cricket Club in 1959.

Lots of candles to blow out.

In a fitting twist, his milestone birthday coincided with the 100th anniversary of Lord’s iconic ‘Father Time’ weathervane, leading to an invitation to take part in a commemorative video, where he read the poem Leisure.

The celebrations at Braemar Lodge were attended by family, including his children Rosemary, Richard and Tim, as well as representatives from 5th Battalion, The Rifles.

After the party, his daughter Rosemary said: “It was fantastic. Dad was on sparkling form.”

Asked the secret to reaching 100, Anthony simply said: “Luck and good health. I was lucky to travel a lot and have a good family.”