A retired Sussex bank manager who has always lived by the motto 'never give up, never give in' has celebrated his 100th birthday.

Alan Page had a celebration birthday lunch at Angmering Manor on Saturday, August 8, with family and friends.

Jon Street, Rustington parish councillor and veteran Warrant Officer Class One, attended to present him with a card. He and Alan chatted about their time serving their country and the places they had both visited during their time in the forces.

Mr Street said: “It was an absolute privilege to meet Mr Page and my thanks go to his family for their warm welcome at such a special and significant occasion.”

Retired bank manager Alan Page has always lived by the motto 'never give up, never give in'

placeholder image — Retired bank manager Alan Page has always lived by the motto 'never give up, never give in'

Alan was manager of the Hove branch of Lloyds Bank before he retired in 1980 at the age of 60 and said he believed it was his positive attitude that got him the promotion.

Alan started as a cashier at the branch in Sloane Square, London, where he got to know a number of famous people and became friends with actor John Mills and his daughter, the actress Hayley Mills.

He worked up through the ranks to become deputy manager at Hove. When the manager became ill, he took over for three months and was then told over the phone he would be taking on the role permanently.

It was good news for him, he said, as it was two or three years before his retirement. He believes it was the mantra he has always lived by, 'never give up, never give in', that got him the promotion.

Alan Page with his wife Joanne at his 100th birthday party at Angmering Manor

Born in Plumstead on August 8, 1926, Alan moved to Plymouth to live with an aunt when his family home was bombed out in the Second World War. They were then bombed out again, so his mum took Alan and his sisters Barbara and Cynthia to Wales, where his father was occupied with war work.

Alan was desperate to fly and he joined the RAF as soon as he could, at the age of 17¼. At that age, only clerical work was allowed, with pilot training starting at age 18.

But by the time his birthday came in August 1944, the RAF was running down the process due to a surplus of trained pilots, so Alan never did learn to fly a plane. He did, however, continue as aircrew and he said it was one of the happiest times of his life.

Alan said: “I had a good life in the war. I served in the Middle East, with the equipment department. When they couldn't find parts for aircraft, I had to fly down to get them. It was an exciting part of my life.”

He said he had always been an active man with a positive attitude. He played hockey for the RAF and remembers scoring the one and only goal against Germany.

Alan served in the Middle East from 1946 to 1948, looking after spare parts for the Halifax bombers. He then had a couple of jobs before joining Lloyds Bank.

He said: “It was pure luck I got the job. One of my colleagues showed me the advert in the paper, I applied and I got the job.”

Alan married his first wife, Una, in 1950 and they had two sons, Anthony and Martin. Alan said the best part of his life was when the children were growing up.

Anthony said his dad had been very supportive with their athletics, and their time in the Cubs, Scouts and the Air Training Corps.

Sadly, Alan had to care for Una for 14 years after she was diagnosed with breast cancer and she died at the age of 62. He said he went on to marry Audrey, who was a customer at his bank, but he lost her to cancer, too.

Alan, who lives in Rustington, is now married to Joanne and has two step-children, five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Alan said: “I have had a wonderful life. I have met some wonderful people and my family have been marvellous.”