Worksop RAF veteran set to mark 100th birthday

A Worksop veteran of WWII is set to celebrate his centenary.
Jack Tongue in 2020 and 1945.Jack Tongue in 2020 and 1945.
Jack Tongue in 2020 and 1945.

Jack Tongue turns 100 on May 15, and served with the RAF as a fitter-armourer.

“I used to load the planes up with guns and ammunition, bombs," he told the Worksop Guardian. “I did my square-bashing in Skegness and I was posted to Ireland.”

Jack was born on Canal Road. His dad worked with horses and he had two brothers and a sister.

He met his wife Jean while walking up Newcastle Avenue.

“She was beautiful. She was cleverer than me! I said good morning and I thought "Boy, I'm coming up here again.”

“I came up five or six times and one day I stopped her and arranged to meet her for a little walk. We did do and we started. Her parents took to me.

“We got married in St Anne's Church. I miss her very much. I lost her 20 years ago.”

The couple had two boys: Paul, who is 67, and lives in the south of England, and Raife, who became the postmaster in South Anston, but died tragically young.

“He was a good lad - both of them were,” says Jack.

“Up until about seven years ago I was playing golf. I was 85 years of age and I got a hole in one - and it's the only hole in one I ever got!”

Friend Angie Green said: “He is a lovely man who is polite to everyone and really loves people.”

Happy birthday Jack!

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