A WORLD War Two hero is set to celebrate his 100th birthday.

John Thomson - known by many as Tommo - is cared for at Risedale Nursing Home in Barrow.

He was born on February 28 1924.

He is youngest of six children with five sisters and had a wife called Dorothy, who died in 1978, from whom he has a son named Neil. 

Mr Thomson was a paratrooper in the first Airborne division at Arnhem in the Netherlands during the Second World War.

The Mail: John in his early days in the military.John in his early days in the military. (Image: Submitted)Maxine Lampard, who works at the Risedale Nursing Home, said: "John said he was supposed to collect a medal for bravery for time served and saving a number of people from a grenade, but he never got the award as he was in hospital when they were awarded."

After the war, Mr Thomson worked as a British Telecoms manager.

He suffers from vascular dementia and Charles de Bonnet syndrome, meaning he is now blind. 

The Mail: The first airborne division that John made part of was formed in late 1941.The first airborne division that John made part of was formed in late 1941. (Image: Submitted)

Jo Varden, one of the general nurses, explained how much she enjoys hearing Mr Thomson's stories about the past.

She said: "Over the years of caring for John I have enjoyed chatting with him and listening to the times that John served as a paratrooper in World War II in the airborne division. 

"Everyone enjoys listening to John singing and playing the harmonica.  John is a gentleman with a grateful heart."

The Mail: John in the cenotaph.John in the cenotaph. (Image: Submitted)Frances Richardson, a healthcare professional, has cared for Mr Thomson for five years.

She said: "He's always brightened up my shifts with his quirky ways, singing and telling me about his jobs."

Halle Burgess, another healthcare professional at the nursery, said: "I've cared for John for a year, and I can always rely on him to make me laugh and teach me his rhymes and sing whilst he plays his harmonica."

The Mail: John and his colleagues.John and his colleagues. (Image: Submitted)

Marilyn Birch, one of the residents at Risedale, said that everyone loves to hear John's singing.

"They all think he is very good," she said.

"They all love listening to John talk about his past and his dancing, as some of them used to dance in the same places."

The nursery will be hosting a party with food, music and singing on Wednesday.