A NAILSEA care home resident who was held captive during World War Two has celebrated his 100th birthday.
George Durkal, who lives at the Argentum Lodge Care Home, was born in Poland in the 1920s.
George, who was one of six siblings, had his world shattered following Germany's invasion of Poland in 1939.
When he was 15, he returned from school to find his home burnt to the ground, surrounded by German soldiers.
In 1945, the Gestapo insisted that one member of George's family was to go to work in Germany. Bravely, George volunteered.
He was sent across the border to work as a carpenter fixing farmers' carts before being sent to an internment camp where he was forced to help build underground bunkers.
George joined the Polish Army following the war and was stationed in Italy for two years.
Since Poland was under Russian occupation at this time, George decided to move to England.
He put his carpentry skills to good use and found work making furniture, before moving on to work for British Cellophane in Bridgwater.
In 1955, George married his wife Joyce. The couple then had a son, Neil.
Following Joyce's death in 2023, George moved to the Nailsea care home to be close to his Great Nieces and Nephews.
George received a birthday card from King Charles III and the Queen Consort in celebration of his landmark birthday.
George said: “I’ve certainly led an eventful life, which is perhaps the secret to a long life. I was blessed with a wonderful marriage of over 68 years to my soulmate Joyce, which brought me great joy.
“I had a really lovely birthday and the staff at Argentum Lodge have gone out of their way to help me celebrate my century.”
Jessica Hawker, care home manager, added: “It has been a privilege for us to join George in marking this incredible milestone.
"As the country marks the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings this year, the remarkable first-hand stories of people like George, who lived through that terrible conflict, become increasingly rare – and therefore all the more important to hear.
“George is a much-loved member of our Argentum Lodge family and he still manages to take a full and active part in life at the home.”
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