A "CHEEKY" great, great grandfather who lived through two world wars has celebrated his 104th birthday.
Bill Marsden, who lives at Abbeyfield House, in Reigate, put his long life down to "keeping busy".
He spent two decades travelling the world in a camper van until he turned 90, and is still able to walk unaided, read without glasses and spin a good yarn.
He was born in 1910 in Manchester, where he worked as a lorry driver before serving in the Second World War, driving Army trucks in North Africa and Italy.
House manager Elizabeth Chase said: "A chap he was with in Italy was a Catholic and he wanted to go to the Vatican.
"Apparently they met the Pope and Bill kissed the Pope's ring. The Pope blessed him and told him he would live to 102."
Mr Marsden's wife Margaret died when he was 70, so he decided to buy a camper van and travel around Europe, living out of it.
Mr Marsden said: "There were some lovely spots, they were some exciting times living by yourself in a small caravan.
"I would toss a penny to decide which way I would go."
Ms Chase added: "He was staying where he turned up, people would chat to him and he'd do jobs for them. He did that for 20 years."
On Friday, he was surrounded by balloons and banners at the residential home in Somers Road. He opened presents – mainly sweets which he would give to his carers – and enjoyed a lunch with fellow residents.
In the evening, Mr Marsden celebrated with his family with a birthday buffet.
Ms Chase said: "He's quite cheeky, he just loves company, loves to talk and loves to be centre of attention.
"His memory is wonderful. He's amazing, I don't know what his secret is."
