WATCH: Coleraine man Norman Irwin celebrates his 107th birthday in style

Norman Irwin BEM was the man of the moment at a special birthday party at Killowen House in Coleraine where family, friends and military representatives all gathered to wish him well.

Kelly McLean of Killowen House welcomed everyone to the event during which guests enjoyed refreshments before Norman, accompanied by Alan Taggart, Pipe Major 2 Royal Irish, cut his birthday cake.

He then joined Pipe Major Taggart in a traditional toast, drinking his favourite Bushmills whiskey from a quaich.

On display at the party were Norman’s Enlistment Certificate from April 4, 1939, and his Release Leave Certificate from the army which was dated October 1, 1946. The commendation on that certificate read: “I have known L/Sgt Norman Irwin for nearly four years in Africa, Italy and UK and have no hesitation in saying that he is one of the finest all round tradesmen I’ve ever known.

"He is a class one Welder and Vehicle Mech also is an excellent Blacksmith and metal worker as well as a good machinist and electrician.

"As an NCO (Non Commissioned Officer) he has been excellent in all aspects.”

Norman, who received his BEM from the Princess Royal Princess Anne at Hillsborough Castle in September of this year, was a founder member of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME).

Corps Colonel REME, Colonel Iain Wallace OBE ADC CEng FIMechE, attended the birthday party to pay tribute to Norman.

He said: “Norman is in a very small, very select group of people, a part of our corps history.

"When the REME was formed back on October 1, 1942, Norman was one of our founder members, at the time serving in the Coleraine battery but due to his technical prowess, he was hand picked, with a bunch of other soliders who were in the army at the time, to come across and to form the newly formed corps of REME.

"He’s an absolute legend of the corps and a part of our history which is why it’s so special to share this moment.”

Norman is one of only 14 founder REME members still alive today. Listen to Colonel Wallace’s full speech in our video of the event.

Also paying tribute to Norman were Mrs Alison Millar, HM Lord Lieutenant of County Londonderry; David Johnston, NI Veterans Commissioner and Colonel (Retd) RJ Laird TD, REME Association NI President, while Norman’s grandson Christopher Irwin replied on behalf of his grandfather and the family circle.