THE LAST surviving member of a Second World War parachute squadron celebrated Remembrance Day with a two-minute silence on Sunday.

Tom Hicks served in the First Parachute Squadron RE from 1939 to 1945.

“When a man was 20 they had to do a compulsory six months in the army because the government knew a war was coming and they wanted to train people up,” said Tom.

“I was just meant to do the six months when war broke out so I ended up in the army for six years.”

During his time in the army he fought all over the world including Africa, Italy and during the Battle of Arnhem in 1944.

On Sunday, 101-year-old Tom observed a two-minute silence at 11am to pay his respects to his friends during the war.

“I wanted to stand on my own,” said Tom who is now a resident of Mapplewell Manor Care Home.

“I stood and did my silence. It wasn't the same as going to the cenotaph but it is important to me.”

Tom, and other residents from the home also observed remembrance today at 11am.