Britain's oldest man turns 110 - and celebrates his milestone birthday with a war-themed party
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Britian's oldest man and surviving veteran Donald Rose was serenaded by opera singer Alfie Boe as he marked his 110th birthday on Christmas Eve. The sprightly centenarian was so delighted with the special surprise that he declared it 'the best day I've ever had' - an expression of praise indeed given that Donald has lived an incredible 40,150 days altogether.
![[Donald watched on in delight as he was serenaded by opera singer Alfie Boe over a video call]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/25/00/93468757-14225303-image-m-6_1735087067049.jpg)
Donald watched on with a huge smile as the singer gave his best rendition of 'Happy Birthday' via a video call organised by Canal Vue care home in Ilkeston, Derbyshire. The delighted veteran - a recipient of France's highest medal, the Legion D'Honneur - clapped Mr Boe at the end, adding it was 'very nice' to hear him sing.
![[Kate Ashby of The D-Day Darlings described Donald as 'a fine gentleman' on her social media]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/25/00/93468755-14225303-Kate_Ashby_of_The_D_Day_Darlings_described_Donald_as_a_fine_gent-m-10_1735087847386.jpg)
There was more in store for Donald, including a card from Buckingham Palace and a war-themed party featuring a performance from Kate Ashby of The D-Day Darlings. Among the guests invited to the celebration was Kate Fennelly, Mayor of Erewash, who described the veteran as 'a national treasure'.
![[War hero Donald Rose, watched on with delight in May this year as two spitfires passed over his care home in Ilkeston, Derbyshire]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/06/18/84520281-13388155-image-a-9_1715017745570.jpg)
His son David, 76, told the BBC: 'Dad is just amazing, he has been a great father, grandfather and great-grandfather. 'He always worked so hard. Britian's oldest man and surviving veteran Donald Rose marked his 110th birthday on Christmas Eve - and received a card from Buckingham Palace.
![[The flypast took place amid a range of events to commemorate the Second World War - the outbreak of which marked 85 years in September - and honour the armed forces]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/06/18/84520307-13388155-image-a-10_1715017797959.jpg)
Donald watched on in delight as he was serenaded by opera singer Alfie Boe over a video call. 'It's amazing to think my dad is the oldest man in the country.'. His birthday comes just months after the veteran was honoured with a special Spitfire flyover in May.
![[Donald Rose was excited to see the flypast but modestly maintains: 'I'm not that special, I just did what I had to do']](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/06/18/84520251-13388155-image-a-11_1715017875920.jpg)
