A “REMARKABLE” Royal Navy veteran with “fascinating stories” is celebrating his 100th birthday today.

Horace Erridge, born on July 11, 1920, moved to Gillingham in 1995, and is believed by the town’s Probus Club to be the only remaining survivor from the first Arctic convoy to Russia in 1941.

Following his service during the Second World War, a sterling silver medal was presented to Horace in 1978, and a second was sent to him in 2011 on the 70th anniversary of his voyage.

On this year’s Victory in Europe Day Horace received a third medal from the Russian Embassy in London, to commemorate the Arctic convoys.

To celebrate his 100-year milestone, Horace’s son David has arranged a socially distanced garden party, with family getting in touch via Zoom. This includes eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

After joining the Naval Reserves, getting married and starting a family, Horace retired in 1983, finding time for many other interests and hobbies including gardening, golf and becoming a member of the Royal Naval Association.

Also a jazz drummer who has performed in London, Horace continued to play with local groups during his 90s.

In a report published by the Gillingham Probus Club, of which Horace joined soon after it formed and was chairman between 1997 and 1998, the soon-to-be centenarian was described as “remarkable [and] modest”.

It added that from his wartime days to his later career with the London Brick Company, he has “fascinating stories” to tell.

The club will be holding a birthday event for Horace as soon as lockdown restrictions have relaxed further.