World War II veteran celebrates 100th birthday in Kingston

Morris Charlton celebrated his birthday on July 6, along with family and friends who arranged a birthday parade for the veteran outside of his nursing home.

“I never saw so many people just for me,” Charlton said. “It’s been a beautiful day so far, and I just hope everyone is having a good time.”

“Veterans are very important to us, and this is just one way of paying back for the service that he gave in his time of service to his country,” said the treasurer of Legion Branch 631, Gord Rittwage.

Charlton first joined the military as a radio operator at the age of 14. He still has scars from being shot in the leg twice during the war.

“For 100 years old, he’s very sharp. He still reads the newspaper, watches documentaries, loves to play cards and stays active,” said Bob Charlton, his son.

“They discovered he was too young to fight when he turned 16, so they were returning him back home, and by the time he got home, he turned 16 and decided to stay,” Bob noted.

He returned to Canada when the war was over and raised four children with his wife in Kingston, Ont.

Social distancing was important to Charlton's family while they were celebrating him.

They have recently been visiting him through a window where he is staying at Arbour Heights, due to the current coronavirus restrictions.

“He’s a wonderful father, grandfather and great-grandfather to many siblings and young ones,” said Bob.