Onchan’s school children welcomed the village’s most famous resident to an early birthday party this past week.

Children from Onchan and Ashley Hill primary schools and St Ninian’s Lower School hosted the first of Hector Duff’s birthday celebrations as he approaches his 100th birthday.

War veteran Mr Duff, who is regarded as one of the greatest living Manxmen, spent Friday afternoon with the children and guests where both primary school’s choirs performed.

Mr Duff turns 100 next Tuesday (October 15) and has a full schedule of events, many organised by the organisations he has worked with throughout his life and spoken through his sharing of his experiences of war.

His celebrations culminate in a party at Government House hosted by Lieutenant Governor Sir Richard Gozney.

Born in Sulby in 1919, Mr Duff worked on the railways before the Second World War when he was called up and served in the 7th Armoured Division (known as the Desert Rats) from 1940 to 1945.

His time in service took him across Europe and northern Africa, taking part in the battles of El-Alamein in 1942 and the invasion of Italy in 1943. His division was in Normandy on the afternoon of D-Day, and they continued through France and into Germany, taking part in the Victory Parade in Berlin.

His service continued in Germany after the end of war, where he was involved in the early work of the Nuremberg Trials.

On his return to the Isle of Man Mr Duff briefly resumed his career as a railway worker, before joining the Isle of Man police, where he served for 30 years.

On his retirement, Duff dedicated himself to ensuring that those who lost their lives serving in the world wars are not forgotten as guardian of the island’s war memorials, which he recorded and cared for; the War Memorials Committee now assists him with this task.

In recent years, Mr Duff was awarded the Tynwald Honour and a British Empire Medal for his services in recognition of his work with the island’s schoolchildren.