AN old soldier celebrated his 100th birthday by skydiving 74 years after he last jumped out of a plane in World War Two.
Thrill-seeker Thomas Hodgson shouted “bloody grand” as he came down.
WWII soldier Thomas Hodgson celebrates his 100th with a skydiveSWNS:South West News Service
As a Royal Engineer, he was attached to the paratroopers for training and jumped in the 1940s.
Now the plucky widower has completed a 14,000ft tandem leap with Skydive Northwest near his home in Cleator Moor, Cumbria.
The former railway worker, who raised cash for Cancer Research UK and The Great North Air Ambulance, said: “I don’t feel 100. I feel 50.”
After his tandem jump last Sunday, the old Sapper said: “You could see every mark in the fields.
“I more than enjoyed it, words can’t describe it. The view was terrific. Blackpool Tower, Morecambe, Isle of Man, Barrow-in-Furness, you could see for miles.
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“There was a little breeze and it was just like floating on air.
“It brought back war memories but I don’t like talking about them – I’ve finished with them now.
“It’s the last thing on my bucket list. It’s that long since I have jumped out of a plane and these charities are worth supporting.”
Mr Hodgson completes his tandem leap on his 100th birthdaySWNS:South West News Service
SWNS:South West News Service Thomas Hodgson was with the Royal Engineers in the war[/caption]
SWNS:South West News Service The old Sapper did the jump with Skydive Northwest[/caption]
SWNS:South West News Service The ex trooper raised cash for Cancer Research UK and The Great North Air Ambulance[/caption]
SWNS:South West News Service Mr Hodgson boards the plane near his home in Cleator Moor, Cumbria[/caption]
SWNS:South West News Service The plane reaches 14,000ft altitude and the divers are ready to jump[/caption]
SWNS:South West News Service The centenarian skydiver jumps out of the plane with his tandem instructor[/caption]
It was his first skydive in 74 years after he last jumped out of a plane in World War TwoSWNS:South West News Service
SWNS:South West News Service ‘The view was terrific. You could see for miles’, he said[/caption]
The plucky pensioner shouted ‘bloody grand’ as he came downSWNS:South West News Service
SWNS:South West News Service Mr Hodgson touches down in Cumbria after his daring leap[/caption]
SWNS:South West News Service The skydiving team help the OAP out of his harness[/caption]
SWNS:South West News Service The pensioner is helped back up on his feet by the crew[/caption]
SWNS:South West News Service The WWII hero looks pleased as punch to have completed the jump[/caption]
SWNS:South West News Service ‘It’s the last thing on my bucket list’, the 100-year-old said[/caption]
SWNS:South West News Service A young Thomas riding a horse with the Hensingham Carnival Queen float at the 1934 Whitehaven Carnival[/caption]
SWNS:South West News Service Thomas worked in the railways after his military service[/caption]
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