THE soldier who broke the news of Hitler’s death to 2,000 Nazi prisoners of war has celebrated his 105th birthday in Ayrshire.

Captain Jack Oldfield served with the Intelligence Corps during WWII, and the new ops room at Wallis Barracks in Chesterfield is named after him.

Jack’s foreign language skills saw him play a vital part in army intelligence during the war.

The great-grandfather said: “I found myself interrogating people.

“I am fluent in German, and I found myself being asked to question people, which I did – I interrogated them.”

Before the war, Jack worked in the textile industry around Darvel. He joined up in 1939 and played a vital role in the fourth assault at Monte Cassino in Italy, one of the bloodiest battles of the Italian campaign. He was also mentioned in Dispatches for the information he obtained from interrogating German prisoners of war (PoWs). The information helped the allies win the battle and saw Captain Oldfield awarded the Italy Star medal.

Jack married his sweetheart, the late Gladys, and the couple settled in Troon. They had a son and daughter.

Daughter Fiona Oldfield said: “In our youth, it was more ‘oh no, Dad is telling his army stories again,’ but as we grew older and realised the significance of his service and what he did, then yes, I think the family is very proud of him – particularly, that he has remained so interested in his history during the Second World War over the years.”

Jack celebrated his 105th birthday with family and fr iends and members of the Intelligence Corps.

During the celebrations at Jack’s residence, Dundonald House, a personal message was read out to him by Her Majesty the Queen: “What a splendid achievement. I send you my warm congratulations and best wishes on your 105th birthday.”

Colonel Phaedra McClean, Corps Colonel Reserves, Intelligence Corps, said: “It is a fantastic opportunity – we do not get the chance to speak to individuals like Jack about their service, about what they did.

To be here and be part of it is super, and to retain the links to the Corps, I think for him is also quite special.”

Jack said that he does not have any secrets to share on having such a long and healthy life. He added he is sure there is still plenty of life in him yet and he is already planning his 106th birthday.