A 100-year-old World War Two veteran from Weymouth has been invited to a prestigious Remembrance Day service.

Tony Cash, who resides at Weymouth Manor care home, will be attending The Royal Albert Hall for the Festival of Remembrance on Saturday November 11.

King Charles and Queen Camilla will be at the Royal British Legion’s annual event in London, which will celebrate the service, unity and camaraderie of the armed forces.

Dorset Echo: Tony taking part in a Remembrance parade in his wheelchair Tony taking part in a Remembrance parade in his wheelchair (Image: Weymouth Manor care home)

Tony was a founding member of the Merchant Navy Association branch in Weymouth and Portland, and despite being in a wheelchair, he regularly attends events and remembrance parades laying wreaths.

It is through this dedication that the Royal British Legion saw fit to invite him to their Remembrance Service in front of the King.

Upon being told of the news, the 100-year-old veteran of the Battle of the Atlantic, said: “I am absolutely delighted, what an honour.”

Dorset Echo: Tony Cash during his Merchant Navy days took part in the Battle of the Atlantic during World War two Tony Cash during his Merchant Navy days took part in the Battle of the Atlantic during World War two (Image: Weymouth Manor care home)

On top of attending the event, Tony will be brought on stage and honoured for his service in the Battle of the Atlantic.

On hearing he would be taking an active role in the ceremony, he added: “It’s an honour to attend and even bigger honour to be invited to take part.

“I am really looking forward to it, I hear we have to leave at 5.30 in the morning, but that’s okay I can sleep on the way. I have been telling my friend Fred about it.

“Everyone is excited for me; the home has said they are going to watch me on their big screen in the cinema. I am so thankful to my daughters and the home for everything they are doing."

Dorset Echo:

Weymouth Manor played a key part in enabling the 100-year-old to take part in the event, with the care home's manager Louise Mclaughlin in no doubt they would fulfil Tony's dream.

She said: “Absolutely, if Tony would like to go, we will do everything we can to support him to make this happen. What an honour for us and Tony”.

Tony’s daughter, Toni, and Esther Sheppard, who works at the home, helped to coordinate the day after weeks of planning.

Toni said: “The whole family are so proud of dad, and he is so honoured to have been asked to attend the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance for the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic.

“It will be an emotional day for him as he will be representing those who served and the many who lost their lives.

“We are so grateful to the Weymouth and Portland Merchant Navy Association for their support and to the staff at Weymouth Manor who are enabling dad to attend this momentous occasion."

Dorset Echo: Tony was a founding member of the Merchant Navy Association in Weymouth and Portland Tony was a founding member of the Merchant Navy Association in Weymouth and Portland (Image: Weymouth Manor Care Home)

David Knight, chairman of the Merchant Navy Association for Weymouth & Portland District has also recently organised for Tony to take part in a BBC documentary on war-time experiences.

He added: "Tony is now destined for a place at the Festival of Remembrance at the Albert Hall and rightly so to be placed on the dais, being only one of three Merchant Navy Battle of the Atlantic survivors to my knowledge. 

"It was a pure delight to see the light in Tony eyes in respect of this invitation, as a humble man but proud to represent the Merchant Navy. 

"I would like to record my thanks to Esther, the manager Louise, and all those at Weymouth Manor for facilitating his participation in this national event."