WW2 veteran Jimmy celebrates his 100th birthday

22 November 2020

A Ross Shire care home resident has celebrated his 100th birthday.

Jimmy Bowles, a resident at Urray House in Muir of Ord, marked the milestone with a small party with his son Stuart and friends and staff from the care home. Dozens of friends in the community also took to Facebook to celebrate Jimmy’s centenary.

The WW2 veteran was also delighted to receive a congratulatory message from Her Majesty The Queen.

Born in Wick, Jimmy attended the Royal High School in Edinburgh and later trained in forestry in Dumfries and Galloway. He enrolled in the Army from 1941-46 and participated in the north African campaign, eventually ending up in Italy where he was wounded.

After the war he resumed his forestry studies where he met his wife to be, Helen, while she was the district nurse. The couple moved to Evanton where Jimmy started a forestry contracting business. He and Helen had three children, Robin, Stuart and Jacqui.

Later, he worked as a buyer for construction contractors eventually working for Brown and Root at Nigg. This is where his love of golf was born and he continued to play the game into retirement despite his failing eyesight.

Daughter Jacqui, who lives in Canada, sent a message to thank the team at Urray House. She wrote: “Thank you to everyone for making dad’s 100th birthday so special. I loved the pictures on Facebook and just had to let you know how much I appreciate your hard work in keeping him safe during the pandemic. Take care.”