RECAP: Spitfire flyover as Sunderland war veteran Len Gibson celebrates life at party in Herrington Country Park
A celebration to honour 101-year-old veteran Len Gibson from Sunderland was held at Herrington Country Park today which included a Spitfire flyover and a Red Devils drop in.
A party for Len Gibson, a Second World War veteran who spent four years at a Japanese prisoner of war camp was held today, Wednesday, May 19 in Herrington Country Park to honour his life and celebrate his 101st birthday.
The celebrations included a Spitfire flypast, the Red Devils dropping in, and performances from violinist Bradley Creswick, a Scottish piper, a male voice choir and 120 pupils of Hastings Hill Academy, where Len was Deputy Head for 17 years.
Former Lance Bombardier Len survived the horrors of the Burma Death Railway to become a musician who inspired Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics.
Len signed up for volunteer work to help cancer charity Daft as a Brush, which provides free transport to and from hospitals, roll out across the UK.
A new Daft as a Brush ambulance will be named 'Len Guitar Gibson and there will be messages of support from Dave Stewart, Kate Adie CBE, and Australian footballer Keith Adams, among many.
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