A WAR veteran turning 101 next month is marking the 75th anniversary of VE Day from his Peeblesshire home.

Colonel Aidan Sprot, of Crookston Farm, fought in Europe and Africa during a military career which earned him honours from the British and French governments.

On May 8, 1945, Col Sprot was based at a farm in Wismar, northern German, when he heard that the Nazis had surrendered.

Recalling that day, he said: “I felt a great sense of relief that, after six years, fighting was at an end.”

He added that he felt thankful he had survived “with just a bit of German metal” in his knee, when many friends and colleagues had died.

Born in Riddell, near Lilliesleaf, Col Sprot signed up with the army at the age of 21 and joined the Royal Scots Greys in Palestine in August 1941.

In North Africa, taking instructions from General Montgomery, he participated in the Battle of El Alamein, Egypt, and went on to capture Tripoli in January 1943.

Later that year, he was part of the Allied invasion of Italy, landing at Salerno and ending up in Naples.

His regiment was then sent to northern France. They moved through Belgium and the Netherlands to reach Germany, eventually stopping the Russians from reaching Denmark.

On 8 May, 1945, Col Sprot and his colleagues held an informal service for everyone who had died.

“We even took the piano out of the house so we could have music,” Mr Sprot recalled. He later received a Military Cross, followed by a Legion of Honour from the French Government in 2015.

His niece Mary Coltman, who also lives in Peeblesshire, said: “I just think he was incredibly brave and courageous for what he did in the war and I really admire him.”