Aylesbury veteran celebrates 100th birthday today - with Lieutenant of Bucks in attendance!

Now Playing

Tuesday, 15 November 2022 07:00

Joseph (Joe) Clements will celebrate his 100th Birthday together with members of Aylesbury No.1 Branch of the Royal Naval Association, Family and Friends at Rivets Sports and Social Club.

The Lord Lieutenant of Bucks, Countess Howe has agreed to attend and make a presentation to Joe on behalf of the Aylesbury Branch.

Joe served in the Royal Navy from August 1938, when he was just 15, until March 1943.

Most of his wartime service was either in the Mediterranean or the Atlantic, involved in activities chasing after the German battlecruisers.

His time on HMS Renown took up most of his service, and he says he enjoyed his time on the ship despite the hardship.

He then went on to convoy Russian escorting ships, in the most horrible weather conditions, so much so, Churchill described it as the worst journey in the world.

When he left the renown, he joined another ship HMS Goodson, in the Atlantic hunting German U boats, and was present at the Normandy landings.

During his career he also weent to San Francisco, Brisbane, Hong Kong and Japan.

When he left the Royal Navy he joined the prison service, ending up in Aylesbury where he's been ever since.

Joe has been a member of Royal Navy association since 1981 with many roles including branch entertainment officer!

In Nov 2020, he was made a life member of the Royal Naval Association, an honour that gave to all embers who served in Second World War.

He's got a son and a daughter and they'll be attending the ceremony wishing him a very Happy 100th Birthday.

Ron Hale - Member of the Aylesbury Royal Navy Association since 1978, and more recently secretary and Vice-Chairman of the organisation , has had a hand in organising the celebration for Joe today, and has known him for a number of years.

Ron provided the information about Joe's long and interesting life, saying: "He's still very much with it for a 100 year old, the body might be failing in some areas but the brain isn't!".

Happy 100th Birthday Joe from everyone at Bucks Radio!

Photo Credit: Ron Hale. Taken on 20th Oct 2007.

Joe (right) Ron (left)

Check out our archive content:

More from Local News

Police officer acquitted of rape in Buckinghamshire

A serving Metropolitan Police officer has been acquitted of rape in Buckinghamshire.
Council partners with local wildlife charities and farmer to establish local Habitat Bank

Buckinghamshire Council has joined forces with two prominent local wildlife charities, the River Thame Conservation Trust and the Trust for Oxfordshire's Environment, alongside a dedicated local farmer, Eddie Rixon of Lopemede Farm, to inaugurate Buckinghamshire's second local Habitat Bank.
Firefighters tackle bin lorry fire

Fire crews responded to a bin lorry fire in Chalfont St Giles on Wednesday.
Bucks residents go to the polls

Voters in Buckinghamshire are being reminded to take photo ID with them when they go to the polling station today.
New Aldi plan in Amersham deferred

Buckinghamshire councillors have postponed making a decision on whether to give Aldi planning permission to build a new store in Amersham.
Family issue tributes to Karl Stanislaus

Members of Karl Stanislaus’s family have released tributes to him after Tyrell James was sentenced to life imprisonment for his murder.
Lidl wants to open more stores in Bucks

Lidl says it plans to open hundreds more supermarkets across Britain - and is asking shoppers for help finding sites.
Man jailed for life for murder and GBH with intent

A man who stabbed another man 38 times and inflicted 56 other knife wounds has been jailed for life for murder, grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of an offensive weapon, namely a kitchen knife.