THE WORCESTERSHIRE GOLF CLUB

SECOND World War veteran and active golfer Jack Madders enjoyed a surprise celebration at the Worcestershire Golf Club on his 95th birthday.

A member of the Malvern Wells club for more than 30 years, Jack still plays regularly and pulls his own trolley.

He was joined by his wife, his family and many golfing friends in the celebration, which had been orchestrated by club captain John Williams and the club's popular barman, Phil Turner. Club caterers Sharon and Mike Metcalfe produced a fine birthday cake.

Later in the week, Jack attended a rather more poignant occasion, when he was invited to participate in the Remembrance Weekend commemorations at the Cenotaph in London.

Having joined the Royal Navy at the age of sixteen, shortly after the outbreak of the war, Jack had trained as a wireless operator.

He was serving on the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable when it was hit by enemy aircraft whilst on Malta Convoy duty and, though badly damaged, the carrier was able to limp back to Gibraltar for necessary repairs.

He served on several other ships, including the destroyer Brissenden, before putting in an application to join the submarine service. The sobering response of his commanding officer was to ask him whether he was ‘tired of living'.

Nevertheless, Jack went on to serve on a number of submarines, including Tribune, Rorqual, Pheasant, Vigorous, Vox and Sea Dog. At the conclusion of the war in Europe, Sea Dog was sent to the Far East where Jack remained until the war against Japan was over.

All his friends at the Worcestershire Golf Club wish him good health and many more excursions onto the course.