A Second World War veteran said he is "choked up" after getting hundreds of birthday cards and a surprise parade for his 100th birthday.
John King, who served in the Navy on HMS Janus during the conflict, celebrated his centenary on November 11 with his very own parade featuring the Dagenham Girl Pipers, the Romford Drum & Trumpet Corps and even the Mayor of Barking and Dagenham.
Since the birthday parade, John has received more than 1,000 cards - many from people he "doesn't know at all".
John told this paper: "Even now I haven't had time to read them all.
"The British Legion laid most of this on for me, and all the cards were hung up in the [Becontree branch] hall."
He added that he has had a "hectic week", with the parade which "came as a surprise", a party with friends and family after and a TV interview on GB News.
The parade, organised by the Royal British Legion (RBL), went from John's house to the RBL branch in Becontree Avenue.
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As well as the Dagenham Girl Pipers and the Romford Drum & Trumpet Corps, the procession also included members of the fire brigade, sea cadets and standard bearers.
John was driven to the RBL Becontree club in a taxi decorated with balloons from the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans.
At his party afterwards, John was presented with the Freedom of the Borough medal by the mayor, and entertainment was provided by another veteran.
John said: "It made you feel choked up.
"Even the Mayor of Barking and Dagenham was at my party.
"It was lovely."
The naval veteran said he thinks it is "a shame" the Dagenham Girl Pipers are disbanding, but that it was "great" to have one of their last performances for his birthday celebrations.
He said: "It was very great indeed.
"I've lived in Dagenham since I was five, and as a kid I used to follow them [The Dagenham Girl Pipers] around when they went round the streets."
John was drafted on to HMS Janus after joining the Royal Navy in 1943, which was involved in the bombardments of both coasts of Italy.
He was one of a small number who survived when the Janus was sunk during the Allied landings at Anzio in January 1944.
The RBL has taken John back to Anzio twice for him to visit the war cemeteries where three of his shipmates from Janus are buried.
John also had the chance to visit Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in June, with Taxi Charity for Military Veterans.
Colin Mills, the charity's chairman, said: "John has been part of the Taxi Charity family for many years and we were delighted to be asked to participate in the fabulous birthday parade in which John was driven in a taxi to the venue."
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