ARTHUR White will celebrate his 100th birthday with family and friends today.

But he still has very vivid memories of being a child and how times were very different. Mr White, who worked at Pressed Steel in Cowley for 50 years, was born on June 3, 1915, and grew up in Sandford on Thames.

He recalls his family moving there from Oxford and transporting their goods on a horse and cart. He went to school in the village and then became an apprentice at Pressed Steel at the age of 15.

Mr White, who will celebrate his birthday with a party at Oaken Holt Care Home in Farmoor, said: “The boss called me in one day and I thought I was getting the sack but he offered me an apprenticeship. It was a great job. I worked hard and we were always busy.”

He was trained in tool-making and during the Second World War worked on making wings for spitfires, landmines and cooking utensils for the troops.

He met Kathleen (nee Money) in 1933 and married her five years later.

The couple, who lived in Horspath for more than 50 years, had no children but spent a great deal of time looking after their nieces and nephews who still visit Mr White with their own children at his care home.

When Mrs White was diagnosed with dementia some ten years ago, Mr White nursed her at home for four years.

Of his late wife he said: “She made me really. She was a wonderful wife and I was very lucky .”

His nephew Colin Money, 67, said: “I think he’s brilliant. I really admire him for looking after his wife in her time of need.”

Mr White said: “I’m overwhelmed – it’s lovely. I’m enjoying every bit of it. We’ll be moving on to 101 next.”