A SECOND World War Burma Star veteran will be getting a surprise when he reaches his 100th birthday on December 3.

At Dunkirk Memorial House, near Bishops Lydeard, the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, Ted Allen DL, will present Captain Walter Godsal RN with a centenary birthday card on behalf of Their Majesties the King and Queen.

A letter of congratulations from the First Sea Lord will be presented by Rear Admiral Ian Moncrieff CBE DL.

Captain Godsal
Godsal served in the Royal Navy for 37 years. (Walter Godsal)

Captain Godsal, who spent 37 years in the Royal Navy, is one of the few surviving members of the Burma Star Association. In 1945 he was a midshipman on board the destroyer HMS Verulam, part of the 26th Destroyer Flotilla of the East Indies Fleet.

Eight days after everyone back home was celebrating VE Day, the Flotilla took part in the Battle of the Malacca Strait in which the Haguro, the flagship of the Japanese Indian Ocean Fleet, was sunk.

An Old Etonian, Captain Godsal and his late wife Pamela moved to the Exmoor village of Winsford in 1970 and both played an active role in village life. Captain Godsal took up porcelain repair and restoration and set up a studio. Both he and his wife also ran a successful business hosting paying guests in their home. Mrs Godsal died in 2004.

Walter Godsal walking his dog
Walter Godsal moved to Winsford in 1970. (Walter Godsal)

Captain Godsal was for many years treasurer and then Churchwarden at St Mary Magdalene Church in Winsford.

His other interests are reading, shooting, gardening and walking and he has played an active part in both the Royal British Legion and Burma Star Association.