For the latest Rochdale news sign up to the MyRochdale newsletter here Second World War Veteran Joseph Havican has told his family he doesn't want any fuss - even though it's his 101st birthday.
Joseph, who still lives independently in his Castleton home, was one of Lieutenant-General Bernard Montgomery's famous Eighth Army 'Desert Rats' who defeated German commander Rommel in the decisive Second Battle of El Alamein in North Africa in 1942.
He was born on May 17, 1920, in Whitworth to parents William - a labourer - and Emma, who worked in a local cotton mill. "I remember the horses and carts trundling round the town when I was a youngster," said Joseph. "I can remember it like it was yesterday." As Hitler took control of Germany and with
Read more on manchestereveningnews.co.uk