A WAR veteran marked his 100th birthday in style - being serenaded by a community choir.

Stanley Elliss, who was a D-Day war veteran, celebrated his centenary surrounded by the Halstead Community Choir.

When visiting his daughter Sue Stevens, who is a member of the choir, they all joined in singing to the war veteran to celebrate the landmark occasion.

Born in 1921, Stanley was one of eight children.

Following his education and a tedious first job, he volunteered for military service in 1939.

He was posted to the 602 Spitfire Squadron and by 1942 he was promoted to corporal.

Stan was a part of the D-Day landings, storming the shore on Gold Beach near Arromanches, France, on June 7, 1944.

He and his fellow veterans were part of the RAF 3209 Servicing Commando Unit.

They were sent to capture enemy airfields and service and re-arm front line Spitfire Fighters supporting the invasion.

After the ground crews arrived, Stan and his colleagues were sent off to fight the Japanese in Burma.

In 1946, he was released from service and made his way back to England where he was demobbed from the RAF.

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Following the war, Stan worked as a horticulturalist, he met his wife, Dorothy, and they had two daughters.

After she died of breast cancer in 1960, Stan re-married nurse Olive Neve.

Following her death in 1995, Stan was determined to live his life to the full.

He travelled the world visiting countries including Ecuador, Qatar, Sri Lanka and Germany.

During the 75th anniversary celebrations of D-Day, Mr Elliss was awarded the Legion d’Honneur by the French government as a survivor of the landings.

Now, Stan lives a quieter life, growing prize winning fruit and vegetables and making his own fruit preserves and marmalade.

The celebrations for his 100th birthday took place on Tuesday October 26 at Ramsey School in Halstead.

Upon hearing about Stan, choir director Sam Conway invited him down to their regular practising place to sing to him.

Stan mentioned what he wanted for his birthday.

He simply said: “To be 100.”