Marlow war veteran celebrates 100th birthday with steak and chips

Edwin ‘John’ Carvell was born on April 20, 1921 in Egham and was the fourth of six siblings.

He was brought up in Bedford and won a scholarship to Bedford School, but left to enter the world of work after his father passed away.

Mr Carvell was a member of the Territorial Army (TA) and was called to serve at the age of 18.

He served for seven years through the Second World War, before moving with his family to High Wycombe in 1954 to take up a position with Wycombe firm Floor Treatments – later taken over by Reckitt and Coleman.

There, Mr Carvell worked in marketing and then became an export director.

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The family moved to River Park Drive in Marlow in 1963, where he became a founding member of the Marlow Residents Association, winning a seat on Marlow Town Council in 1969.

Edwin Carvell turned 100 this month

In 1978, along with his wife Joan and their sons, he bought and ran both Carvell’s Newsagents and Carvell’s Grocers in Station Road, Marlow, with Bisham Village Stores added two years later.

Upon his retirement, he moved with his wife to south Wales, returning to Marlow four years after her death. The couple were married for 49 years.

His two sons, David and Bernard, both also live locally, along with his three grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Bernard said Mr Carvell still lives in his own flat and enjoys his independence, with a “keen interest” in most sports, including football and snooker.

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He celebrated his birthday at Bernard’s house with his favourite meal as well as socially distanced visits from his family, most of whom he had not seen for more than a year.

He also received a message from the Queen on the morning of April 20, along with 25 cards and presents.