FAMILY and friends drank champagne to celebrate the 100th birthday of Commander Daniel Duff.

The distinguished Navy commander lived in Hunterdon, Somerset before moving to Steepleton Manor Care Home in Dorset a couple of years ago.

He was born on August 3, 1912 in Crossways.

He had a family party at which they opened a bottle of champagne to celebrate.

He then had a family lunch with his two daughters and son.

Steepleton Manor also held a party for him with a buffet and lots more family and friends attended, including children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The party was full of balloons and cake as well as entertainment from Weymouth-based Patchwork theatre company. They performed a piece of drama for the Commander which he thoroughly enjoyed.

Commander Duff was in the Royal Navy in Dartmouth and served on destroyers during the Second World war.

He was decorated several times during his long career including a Distinguished Service Cross and Distinguished Service Order.

He retired because of his severe deafness due to being a gunnery officer.

Commander Duff and his wife Barbara were married in London and went on to have two daughters and two sons.

His son Simon is also in the Navy and lives in Axminster, his son Jeremy, a lawyer, lives in Australia, and his daughter Sue lives in Chilfrome, while youngest daughter Jenny lives in Cattistock.

Pat Thomas, manager of Steepleton Manor care home said Commander Duff is highly thought of by the staff.

She added: “He’s a very pleasant gentleman. He got loads of cards, about 40 or 50.

“The residents wanted to give him a card and then he had all the other ones as well. He was quite overwhelmed.

“We celebrated it well and he thoroughly enjoyed it.”