'I just wish I looked as good' (From Witney Gazette)

'I just wish I looked as good'

9:00am Wednesday 26th April 2006 in Witney By Rosalind Miles

A WITNEY war veteran shared his 80th birthday celebrations with the Queen.

Malcolm Fiddler, of Court Gardens, off Judds Close, received a birthday card from the Queen.

He said: "It was a brilliant feeling sharing my birthday with the Queen on Friday. I don't have much in common with her, I just wish I looked as good as she does."

Mr Fiddler, who was a stoker mechanic in the Royal Navy during the Second World War, entered the lottery to attend the Queen's birthday party, but his name was not drawn out.

But he has an invitation to attend a Royal Garden Party in July.

The Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Hugo Brunner, visited Mr Fiddler on his birthday. He said: "He's a wonderful guy. A real hero."

Mr Fiddler has three children, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.