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Tain birthday boy John Webster (100) gets quarantine surprise from friends and family


By Hector MacKenzie

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John at his window
John at his window

A MUCH-LOVED great-grandfather was given a special surprise under extraordinary circumstances as he celebrated his 100th birthday in Tain.

Former Desert Rat John Webster had initially planned a parachute jump to mark the milestone but was prepared for a quiet day at home in quarantine with his wife, Pat.

Instead, in cahoots with his far-flung family, friends at the local University of the Third Age (U3A) group he is an active member of teamed up with local councillor Alasdair Rhind and Ross-shire Lord Lieutenant Joanie Whiteford to spring an unforgettable surprise.

On Sunday, pipers Ewan and Fraser Dunoon led standard bearers Hugh Fraser and Ivan Wallace, along with Mrs Whitelaw, Cllr Rhind and the Rev Andrew Fothergill to the Websters' house where they shared good wishes at a safe distance through an open window.

Happy Birthday and one of Mr Webster's own favourites, We're No Awa' Tae bide Awa' was followed by short speeches and good wishes. A card from the Queen was left on the doorstep together with a gift and cake.

Friends and neighbours looked on to share the joy, to the delight of the birthday boy.

John Webster.
John Webster.

His friends from the U3A gave him a folder filled with birthday greetings and photographs, plus a special newsletter dedicated to him containing articles about his life and events that took place over the last 100 years.

Mr Webster was overjoyed by the whole experience which has come as a complete surprise.

His daughter Anne Macleod, who lives in Aberdeen-shire, said widespread family as far afield as South Africa were "blown away" by the effort and deeply thankful to the Tain community for the support it had shown her parents.

She said her mother had figured out how to use video-conferencing technology on her laptop so everyone could join in. She said her dad had been particularly touched by a video message from his great-grandaughter Eilidh, with whom he is very close.

She said: "It was amazing. The thoughtfulness of the community means an awful lot to us."

John was born in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire and as a young mechanic in 1940 was conscripted and joined the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. He volunteered to travel overseas and despite never having seen a tank before, he found himself learning how to drive and mend tanks in Alexandria, Egypt, with the Eighth Army. He and his fellow Desert Rats learnt how to repair a variety of tanks including Honeys, Stuarts, Crusaders, Grants and Shermans.

John also drove and maintained the heavy duty Scammell tank transporters.

John travelled throughout North Africa with the Eighth Army and he remembers the unbearable heat in Algiers which caused the fat in their tins of corned beef to melt! He says he hasn’t been able to look at corned beef since.

The group of well-wishers gathers outside John Webster's house.
The group of well-wishers gathers outside John Webster's house.

He related how the soldiers used to wash their clothes in petrol, mainly to preserve their water supplies, but this had the added advantage of keeping bugs and lice at bay.

After the second battle of El Alamein, John travelled through Tunisia to Libya and was later posted briefly to Italy. From Italy he was parachuted into Yugoslavia at night, the preparation and training for such a dangerous operation consisted merely of jumping onto a mat. He injured his ankle on landing, but nevertheless had to then walk to the rendezvous point.

John and his fellow soldiers lived in the hills outside Split providing support to the local Resistance against the Axis forces in occupied Yugoslavia.

John was later evacuated out of Yugoslavia to Italy where he was shot and injured during an ambush. As a result of this, he spent VE Day in hospital after an operation on his hand.

When the war ended, John, who was by that time a sergeant, was asked to accompany some young soldiers to Germany, where he was demobbed.

John Webster
John Webster

He then returned to Clarkston, Lanarkshire, where he met his wife, Pat, when her father asked if John would teach her to drive. The couple, now married for sixty years, have two daughters, three grandsons and a great-granddaughter.

John is an inspiration to us all in the local U3A, said fellow member Rhoda Malloy. "He is always smiling and he possesses a wonderfully positive mental attitude. He is still an active member of several of our interest groups, including games, local history, social events, strolling and table Tennis. Had it not been for the outbreak of Coronavirus, John had organised a parachute jump for his birthday!

"Unfortunately, due to the lockdown, we will not be able to celebrate this momentous occasion with John, but we want to congratulate him on his wonderful achievement and send him the warmest of wishes for his special day."

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