A FORMER lecturer at the University of Cambridge was joined by friends, family and staff at a Carlisle care home to celebrate his 100th birthday.

Dr Arthur Jennings marked his milestone with tea and cake at Blackwell Vale Care Home on Durdar Road, Upperby, on Tuesday.

His relatives travelled from as far as Cambridge, Wales and France to be with him for the landmark event, in which he received a special telegram from The Queen.

Arthur grew up in the village of Baildon in Yorkshire, before going on to study veterinary science at the University of Liverpool.

During his studies at university, World War Two broke out. However, Arthur was told to complete his degree before joining the Royal Army Veterinary Corps (RAVC).

In the army, he was made a captain in the RAVC and was sent out to India, where he looked after animals who helped in the war. They included camels, horses, donkeys and goats.

Following the war, Arthur returned to Liverpool to teach at the university, and later moved to the University of Cambridge to take up a post there at a new department of veterinary medicine, where he stayed for many years.

His career took him around the world, including working as an external examiner in Africa and Malaysia.

He later was invited to become a senior tutor at Wolfson College in Cambridge, where he taught for several years.

While in that post, Arthur helped in opening up the collage to a wider population of students, including many from overseas.

Upon retiring, he moved with his wife Isobel to Connel, near Oban in the north west of Scotland.

Isobel was born in Glasgow, and studied veterinary medicine at Glasgow University, and was in the same class as famous veterinary surgeon, James Heriot.

The pair had two children, Kathleen (Kate) and Peter.

He walked every day while living north of the border, and enjoyed the regular sight of wild birds, otters and deer.

After many happy years in Scotland, Arthur later moved to Gloucestershire to live with his daughter for 12 years.

From there, he then moved up to Cumbria, and lived at Midtown House Care Home in Caldbeck for several years.

Following time in the Lake District, he moved to Blackwell Vale Care Home in Carlisle in October.

Daughter Kate Robertson told The Cumberland News: “My father comes from a farming background, and his father was a butcher, so when he was a boy he used to deliver meat on his bicycle before school.

“We’ve been very lucky to have a visit from the mayor, which is much appreciated.

“The staff at the home have been very helpful, and have supported us and looked after Arthur well since he arrived in Carlisle several weeks ago.”

Wendy Carruthers, manager of Blackwell Vale Care Home, added: “Arthur’s only been with us for a short time, but has settled in really well, and he is a delight to look after.

“He is very chatty with all of our members of staff, and the visitors who come to see him.

“He is a remarkable man, with a wonderful history of life, and we’re all glad that he has enjoyed his special day with us.”