AN OSWESTRY RAF Second World War veteran aged 103 and raising money for the Poppy Appeal said 'it is nice to be useful' after being officially congratulated for his work

Colin Cole received a certificate from Veronica Lillis, a deputy lieutenant of the Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire and joined fellow members of the Royal British Legion (RBL) selling poppies in Morrisons in Shrewsbury Road in the build-up to Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday.

The deputy lieutenant congratulated Colin for his work and said she was delighted to present his certificate on behalf of the Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire.

She added: "I was delighted to present it on behalf of the Lord-Lieutenant who is so supportive of all volunteers and particularly someone like Colin who has been doing it for such a long time in Shropshire.

"He is obviously a real legend in the community.

"He is achieving an award for such a long service but there are many other volunteers in Shropshire who also do a sterling work promoting the Poppy Appeal.

"Part of my job is congratulating volunteers on behalf of the Lord-Lieutenant, they are part of a great group."

Border Counties Advertizer:

Colin served as a radio operator in a reconnaissance unit and then in a search and rescue unit and was based in East Anglia for much of the war.

The Second World War veteran joined the RAF in June 1939 and spoke about his 'hectic' experiences.

He said: "It was bit hectic at times, when things came down, we went to pick them up.

"But you get by."

After the war and leaving the RAF, Colin went on to work as a teacher for 40 years and he said he has been involved with the Poppy Appeal for many years.

"I have been doing this for quite a few years, I don't know how many," he said.

"It is nice to be useful at my age, I am lucky to get around and do it."

Colin, who is originally from Chislehurst in Kent served as a special constable in the Metropolitan Police before the war.

Recently, he has served as a police volunteer in Oswestry and spoke about 'keeping busy.'

He said: "I watch CCTV cameras, I have been doing it for quite a long time.

"It is something to do and it keeps me busy.

"You meet people, it is interesting."

Jenny Komiatis is a community fundraiser for the RBL and praised Colin for his work in raising money for the Poppy Appeal.

"It is wonderful to see people meeting our volunteers and frequenting our stalls again and wearing their poppy," she said.

"It is wonderful to come and meet people like Colin who have done this for so long.

"The volunteers are the life blood of the Poppy Appeal and it is always such an honour and a pleasure to get out around the country to meet people.

"I have been trying to meet Colin for six years and this is the first time I have been able to meet him.

"He is such an inspiration chap; I mean 103 and he is still out volunteering.

"I think it is incredible and he is something I think many people should aspire to be."