Holloway man hits 103 not out
An Islington man who started one of the first DIY shops in the borough celebrated his 103rd birthday on Monday.
Herbert Davies spent many years in charge of JD Davies, in Holloway Road, a business established by his grandfather in 1882.
The carpenter, born in 1909, has lived his whole life in Islington and his family have occupied the same house in Liverpool Road for at least four generations.
During the Second World War he was part of the Auxillary Fire Service and was tasked with protecting the Houses of Parliament during the blitz.
He retired two years early in 1973 when VAT was introduced, saying he was too old to learn the new tax system.
Mr Davies was thrown a big party by family and friends at the Lennox House Care Home, on Durham Road, Finsbury Park, where he now lives.
Cllr Phil Kelly, Mayor of Islington, and Jeremy Corbyn, MP for Islington North, popped in to wish him happy birthday.
Most Read
- 1 Plumber found guilty of road rage murder of Deliveroo driver
- 2 'Our sandwiches were floating': Islington cafe owner counts cost of burst water mains flood
- 3 Teenager commuted from Highbury to Bristol for A Levels
- 4 A Level results live 2022: Islington schools as they come in
- 5 'Rest in peace child': Tributes paid to teenager stabbed to death
- 6 Guilty: Window cleaner 'crushed victim's heart' as he mowed down two men
- 7 Angel station closures on one in five days due to staff shortages
- 8 Finsbury Leisure Centre development: 'Something dystopian like Bladerunner'
- 9 'Do not eat' - Lidl recalls product over bacteria fears
- 10 Hundreds of novelty teapots on show in Upper Street
His son Micheal Davies, 68, said: “He had a great time and enjoyed all the attention. He had a big celebration and really enjoyed himself.
Shefa Uddin, activities co-ordinator at Lennox House, said: “It was a wonderful party and Mr Davies was very excited.
“Although he didn’t want alcohol, he drank plenty of lemonade.”