AN ABERYSTWYTH Second World War veteran has celebrated his 100th birthday at a special evening with friends and family.

William John Jones, born in Cefneithin, Carmarthenshire, on 18 February, 1916, was posted to Rhodesia with the RAF in July 1941, just a week after marrying his wife Myfanwy Jones, from Pencader.

After spending almost five years away from his wife, he returned to Wales and settled in Lampeter with Myfanwy, where they had two children, Sonia and Haydn.

In 1958, the family moved to Aberystwyth where William worked with the Ministry of Agriculture in Trawscoed and Plas Crug until he retired.Years later, William and Myfanwy came out of retirement to help their son Haydn and his wife Ann run Caffi Morgan, Terrace Road, where they made many friends with customers from all over the world.

William was one of the founding members of Côr Meibion Aberystwyth and spent many happy years as a member and secretary, and also served as a Deacon and secretary to Capel y Bedyddwyr Bethel, Aberystwyth, for many years.

In May 2012, Myfanwy passed away, but William enjoys the company of his married children, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

He currently resides at Cysgod y Coed Residential Home in Llanilar.

Pictured with William at the celebration evening last Thursday at the Conrah Hotel are (from left) Haydn Jones (his son), Ann Jones (his daughter-in-law), Sonia Taylor (his daughter) and Eric Taylor (his son-in-law).