WATCH: Navy veteran celebrates 100th birthday on lockdown in care home with a special cake

By Brett Campbell

A Navy veteran has celebrated his 100th birthday by tucking into a very special cake while on lockdown in his Belfast nursing home. 

Tom Ferrett, who's a resident in Palmerston residential home, reached the momentous milestone on Thursday. 

The former post office worker has thanked the football club his father used to play for - for remembering his big day, despite his wavering support over the decades.  

🎥 🎂 East Belfast pensioner Tom Ferrett has celebrated his 100th birthday on lockdown in Palmerston residential home (@TheAbbeyfield) with a very special cake from @Glentoran

The @RoyalNavy veteran says he had “a fantastic day” has he thanked all those who made it so special pic.twitter.com/p1DTOWIgl3

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) May 1, 2020

"I was rather surprised that Glentoran remembered me through my father," he said. 

"I was a supporter sometimes and sometimes I wasn't. 

"I had a fantastic day and I could do with even more days like it." 

The pensioner also praised all the staff at the care facility who helped him celebrate and reflect on many happy memories. 

“I’ve had an absolutely lovely day," he said.  

"This is the type of occasion that you really only get once in a lifetime if you’re lucky. 

"I do feel like I’ve been very lucky. I’ve had a very good life and it is something that I’m very grateful for.

 “I want to thank all my friends and family, all the staff at Palmerston and Glentoran Football Club for all their good wishes and for all the kindness that they have shown me.”

Tom, who was born in Titania Street, not only shares his name and a birthday with Captain Tom Moore who has raised tens of millions of pounds for the NHS, but has even served in the armed forces too. 

He joined the Royal Navy in 1940 and following five months of intensive study at University College, Cardiff, he was posted to HMS Speedy - a Halcyon class minesweeper - as an electrical engineer. 

Tom also served on HMS Dolfin, the first submarine and on HMS Tyne before leaving in March 1946.

He returned to his old job in the Post Office in Belfast where he'd been employed for the first six years of his working life and where he would meet the love of his life, Margaret Millar. 

The couple married in December 1946 and enjoyed 66 years together and had two children, Lynne and Alan.

The grandfather-of-five moved into Palmerston residential home, which is managed by Abbeyfield and Wesley Housing Association, in February 2020.  

The charity's chief executive Geraldine Gilpin described Tom as an "immensely positive" resident who has a "fantastic attitude" to life.   

"He embraces each day and it is an honour that we have been able to celebrate his 100th birthday with him," she added. 

"Tom is passionate about football and was very touched by the birthday cake which Glentoran Football Club sent. 

"His father played for the Glens and the club has a special place in his heart.

“I’m also grateful that the lockdown environment we’re operating in has not dampened Tom’s spirits. 

"It is important that we celebrate these milestones, reflect on happy memories and create moments that can be cherished in the future.”