A SURPRISE party for his 90th birthday had Les Loosemore beaming from ear to ear as the ex-RAF veteran who is widowed and has no family, thought he would be spending it alone in hospital.

He had no idea that members of Trowbridge’s Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) had secretly been planning a small celebration to mark the former commander’s big milestone on Wednesday.

Instead, Mr Loosemore who lives on his own in Sandpits Lane in Steeple Ashton, Trowbridge, and is being treated for leg ulcers at Savernake Hospital in Marlborough, thought his birthday would be much like a normal day.

But, Ken Beaton, 80, and his wife Kathy along with Peter Ford, 76, from RAFA were adamant that Mr Loosemore would have a 90th to remember and brought the party to the hospital.

“He’s got no family and it’s tough to have your 90th birthday and have nobody at all to celebrate it,” Mr Ford said.

As Mr Loosemore was wheeled in his wheelchair to the dayroom, staff gave a round of applause and a chorus of happy birthday erupted. Waiting for him were cards, a new mug and a RAF themed cake baked especially for him.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Mr Loosemore grinned. “I wish someone could have told me and I could have at least put something decent on.”

Mr Loosemore, who is childless, joined the Trowbridge branch of the RAFA around the same time his wife died several years ago. He met Mr Beaton, who is the welfare officer and retired flight lieutenant, and Mr Ford, the chairman and a retired wing commander.

“I know what they went through and they know what I went through,” said Mr Loosemore, who trained as an air gunner aged 18 and was stationed in Lincolnshire after the Second World War broke out.

Speaking about the time he served 17 operational journeys over Germany in Lancasters, he added: “I survived I’m glad to say. It was very good – dangerous but very exciting and a bit nerve wracking.”

There is a strong camaraderie between the men and all of the 98 members of the branch, which is why Mr Beaton and Mr Ford decided to throw the party for Mr Loosemore.

Mr Ford added: “He’s an ex-bomber commander and one of the very few that are left in the world. We keep an eye on people older people like him in the area and we were aware of the fact he was living on his own. His wife died sometime ago and he was in need of some comradeship and we are just here for him.”