Norfolk RAF veteran Ted Wootten celebrates 100th birthday

Edward ‘Ted’ Wootten, who lives in Dereham, turns 100 today (January 2). 

His momentous birthday will be one to cherish, with family travelling from all over the country to celebrate.

Ted Wootten, from Dereham, is celebrating his 100th birthday (Image: Submitted by family)

Mr Wootten is also looking forward to receiving a telegram from King Charles, of which only a handful have been sent so far. 

Born in West Hendon, London, Ted was the youngest of four siblings.

In 1940, aged 17, Mr Wootten signed up with the newly-formed RAF Commandos which played a key role in the Second World War.

Ted Wootten joined the RAF Commandos during the Second World War (Image: Submitted by family)

He saw plenty of action, but had a major health scare after catching malaria during an operation in North Africa. 

Mr Wootten says the pinnacle of his service was a secret wartime mission to Italy. Still to this day, he will not share details of what the mission entailed. 

The centenarian met his late wife, Lilian, on May 8, 1945 – Victory in Europe Day – and the pair initially settled in NW9 before moving down the road to Mill Hall. 

Ted and Lilian Wootten pictured on their wedding day (Image: Submitted by family)

They had two children, Joyce and Terry, and Mr Wootten worked for Royal Mail until his retirement. 

However, resting on their laurels was simply not an option for the pair who, by this point, had moved to Essex. Both continued to work part-time into their late-70s, while also enjoying a spot of dancing in their spare time. 

In 2006, the couple moved to Dereham to be closer to their family – which now includes four grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and 10 great, great-grandchildren. 

Ted Wootten pictured during his time with the RAF (Image: Submitted by family)

After Mrs Wootten’s death in 2018, which followed more than 70 years of marriage, a spritely Mr Wootten retained remarkable independence. 

He was a dab hand in the kitchen, popular member of local bus trips and would still go shopping on his own. 

Now a resident at Eckling Grange care home in Dereham, Mr Wootten remains a keen storyteller and enthusiastic participant in singalongs. 

A young Ted Wootten joined the RAF Commandos (Image: Submitted by family)

“Reaching this milestone is unbelievable,” said his daughter, Joyce. 

“I couldn’t be prouder of my dad; if only everyone took a leaf out of his book on life.”

Terry, Mr Wootten’s son, added: “To have five generations alive is somewhat unheard of nowadays.

“Dad is so proud of his life and achievements.”