War hero Hector Duff has won the UK’s Soldiering On People’s Choice award.

Hector, who last week celebrated his 101st birthday, received more than 2,900 votes from members of the public across the British Isles, through an online poll which opened earlier this year.

Organisers described Hector as a ’remarkable man’, and said the public vote response to him was ’phenomenal’.

Due to the pandemic, the ceremony went ahead via Zoom with Soldiering On ambassador soprano Carly Paoli singing happy birthday to Hector.

His son, Tony Duff, said that Hector was ’all made up about that’.

Hector said: ’This is a culmination of all my achievements, and I hope that I can continue to keep going for a little while longer. Thank you very, very much, I’m exceedingly proud.’

He also said that he was ’quite surprised that so many voters had gone in for it’.

The virtual ceremony was hosted by RAF veteran, best-selling author, and Soldiering On Ambassador, John Nichol - known for the book ’Tornado Down’ - about his experience of being shot down and captured during the Gulf War.

Earlier in the day, Hector had received a birthday surprise visit at his house in Onchan from Michael Haynes of the Manx Aviation and Museum, who arrived in a 1942 Daimler ’Dingo’ armoured car - the exact type Hector drove in North Africa during the war. Tony said that Hector was thrilled to see it driving up his street in Onchan, remarking ’It’s just like the one I drove. Only it’s the wrong colour.’

The Dingos that Hector drove had desert camouflage, rather than green paint.

The Soldiering On Awards ’recognise the outstanding achievements of those who have served their country, and the diverse people and groups who work together in support of the Armed Forces Community.’

Mr Duff served in the 7th armoured division, known as the ’desert rats’, from 1940 to 1945, and saw action in North Africa and on D-Day.

The Onchan resident is the recipient of numerous awards including the Military Medal for bravery, the British Empire Medal, the Tynwald Honour, the French Legion d’honneur and an OBE.