ONE of the infamous 'Desert Rats' who fought in north Africa during the Second World War has celebrated his 100th birthday in Binfield.

Sergeant Major Leonard 'Len' Burritt, who is a member of the Binfield branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL), celebrated his birthday surrounded by family and friends at the club, in Forest Road, on Sunday (26), including his brother-in-law and family who travelled from Australia for the special occasion.

Sgt Maj Burritt, who lives in Haddenhurst Court, in Terrace Road South, celebrated his centenary on Tuesday (28) with a tea party in the residents' lounge of the care home where he lives.

After a agricultural upbringing, Sgt Maj Burritt joined the army in 1936. After his training, he moved to E company wireless operating training where he learned to send Morse code, and passed his driving test on a six-wheeled three-tonne lorry and a motorcycle.

In 1938 he was despatched to the Egypt where he was stationed for five years with the Egypt Mobile Desert Division, later renamed to the 7th Armoured Division, and nicknamed the Desert Rats.

During his time with the battalion, he was detailed to the Middle East and across northern Africa, and when war broke out in 1939, he was ordered to remain in the desert until Tunisia was captured in 1943.

Sgt Maj Burritt was active for more than 100 battles in 15 different countries on or near the front line, including the Battle for El Alamein in October 1942, the turning point in the north Africa campaign.

He finally returned to the UK in 1944, having not seen his family for seven years, and married his childhood sweetheart Connie in April 1944. The couple had to bring their wedding forward as Sgt Maj Burritt was due to take part in the D-Day landings on June 6. As a communications operative, it was his duty to supply intelligence to the troops who had landed before him, and was responsible for the smooth disembarkment for the convoy of vehicles.

He left the army in 1946, and returned to a farming life, winning countless prizes with Jersey cattle and pigs at various agricultural shows until he retired in 1983.

He went on to have two children, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren before Connie passed away in 2007, aged 89.

In October 2011, he returned to El Alamein to revisit the battlefields, and in 2012 he marked the 70th anniversary of the battle by laying a wreath at Mundford on behalf of HRH the Duchess of Cornwall.

As well as receiving 10 medals throughout his career, he was awarded the French Légion d’Honneur in 2016 for his part in the liberation of France.

Turning up to his 100th birthday party at the RBL in a privately-chauffeured Bentley, Sgt Maj Burritt was toasted by friends, family and fellow service veterans, including Lieutenant Colonel Simon Copley-Smith, present-day serving officer and chairman of The Desert Rats Association.

Guests enjoyed a delicious buffet and joined singing group The Belles in a round of Happy Birthday.

Binfield Parish Councillor, Terry Dilliway said: "Len received a tableful of gifts and cards, including glassware engraved with a jerboa, the emblem of the Desert Rats. A special Congratulations Award on Parchment was presented to him by Binfield Parish Council."

Daughter Rosemary Wood said: "Len has received cards from HM the Queen, HRH the Duchess of Cornwall and Ester Mcvey, minister of works and pensions, amongst many others.

"He would like to thank everyone for their good wishes, cards and presents plus donations on Just Giving to the Macmillan nurses.”