Leeds World War Two veteran celebrates 100th birthday

A World War Two veteran from Leeds who met and married his sweetheart during the conflict is celebrating his 100th birthday today.
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Frank Reynolds, of Cross Gates, was serving with the Royal Engineers in Egypt when he met Betty Oliver, of the Auxiliary Territorial Service, over a cup of tea in the naafi canteen she managed in July 1944.

They married on May 5 1945 in front of a few army pals at St Joseph's Church in Cairo, before a two-week honeymoon in Alexandria.

Mr Reynolds was born in Leith, Scotland, on March 21 1920.

Frank Reynolds

Picture: James HardistyFrank Reynolds

Picture: James Hardisty
Frank Reynolds Picture: James Hardisty
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After leaving school aged 14 he served an apprenticeship as a mason/bricklayer until being called up aged 18 in August 1939 to the seventh/ninth Royal Scots.

He soon transferred to the Royal Engineers, serving most of his time in Egypt.

Mr Reynolds worked as a stone mason and the couple lived in Edinburgh after the war and later in Gosforth, Newcastle.

In 1966 the couple, who had two children, settled in Cross Gates in east Leeds, where Mr Reynolds worked as building site foreman.

Frank and Betty Reynolds pictured on their wedding day on May 5 1945.Frank and Betty Reynolds pictured on their wedding day on May 5 1945.
Frank and Betty Reynolds pictured on their wedding day on May 5 1945.
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in the same year, Mr Reynolds, who was a site foreman for Costain construction, was introduced to Her Majesty The Queen when she officially opened the old Seacroft Shopping Centre.

Mr Reynolds played the bagpipes with Pontefract and District Pipe Band from 1966 to 1990.

His wife Betty died aged 83 in 2003.

The couple's eldest son Richard, 73, is a retired electrical engineer who lives in Staffordshire.

Frank and Betty Reynolds pictured on their wedding day on May 5 1945.Frank and Betty Reynolds pictured on their wedding day on May 5 1945.
Frank and Betty Reynolds pictured on their wedding day on May 5 1945.

Their second son, Ernest, who was a chief inspector with West Yorkshire Police, died aged 61 in 2010 after suffering from cancer.

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Mr Reynolds has two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Mr Reynolds said: "I enjoyed my job and worked hard as well and have had a good life."

A 100th birthday party planned with around 100 family and friends at the Barnbow Social Club has had to be cancelled due the coronavirus outbreak.

The party has been rescheduled for October 3.

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