Popular Potterne man Lenny Holloway dies, aged 100

The centenarian, who was part of the Royal British Legion for more than 50 years, is survived by his five children, 24 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren and six great great grandchildren.

Mr Holloway was born in London on February 3, 1915, and was the third of seven children.

After leaving school at 14 Mr Holloway worked as a page boy in a London hotel and then a bakery before setting up his own window cleaning business.

In the Second World War he was posted to Scotland where he met his future wife Doris, a Wren, who had been posted there from Devizes.

They married in St John’s Church, Devizes, in February 1942, and lived in London before moving to Wiltshire in 1947.

Mr Holloway had various jobs including working at the Avon Rubber Works in Melksham along with running the hardware shop in Potterne with Mrs Holloway.

The couple had five children and were married for more than 60 years before Mrs Holloway passed away in 2004.

Mr Holloway is thought to have been one of the oldest skittles players in Britain, after playing at his local The George and Dragon for more than 40 years.

To celebrate his 100th birthday in February a party was held in Potterne Village Hall which hundreds of people from the area attended.

A variety of events and entertainment took place including performances from the Potterne Church Choir, Five Lane School children singing songs from the 1940s, the Salisbury Military Wives Choir and a This is Your Life-style presentation.

Six Royal British Legion standard bearers from across Wiltshire and a bugler also attended the party.

Mr Holloway had said his secret to a long life was having a whisky a day and to always keep active. His passion all his life was to dance.

He lived independently at his home in Potterne until his death, although he always had plenty of visits from family and friends.

Funeral details are yet to be confirmed.