13 May 2016
Former WW2 pilot celebrates 103rd birthday with family and friends
One of our oldest male residents and a former WW2 pilot has celebrated his 103rd birthday surrounded by family and friends.
Eric Lewiston, who has lived at Anisha Grange, our care home in Billericay for three years, marked over a century of contribution for the country with his daughter Erica, friends and other well-wishers at an afternoon tea party held in his honour by the home.
Eric Lewiston who was born on 12th May 1913 and was originally from Walthamstow, flew Mosquito planes in Bomber Command for the RAF in 1939. He also played an important part in the Bruneval Raid which was designed to capture critical parts of the enemy radar installation on the coast of France at Bruneval and bring them back to the UK.
When he left the RAF after the war he was one of two surviving members of the intake of 28. He settled in Billericay and started an import/export company before opening the first Portuguese restaurant in London during the 1960s.
Eric met his wife Marjorie aged 15 through his sister and married her at St Mary’s Church in Walthamstow on 14th October 1939. They were together for 63 years.
Eric brought up his two children, daughter Erica and son Alan and has now four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Eric’s family says his secret to longevity is not drinking, smoking, and growing his own fruit and vegetables in his garden in his younger years.
Eric, 103 said: “I have had a good day, I don’t feel 103.”
Erica Godfrey, his daughter said: “Eric is a really good person, and he is never petty or judgemental.
“When I was younger if I ever had a problem I know I could come to him and he will sort it out without ever making a scene, and I brought my children up in the same way.”
Click here to find your nearest Hallmark Care Home.