THE one life lesson 100-year-old Philip Cole has to share is for youngsters to try to have a conscience.

And some of his biggest life achievements are having being a parent, being president of the College of Optometrists, and receiving an OBE for services to optometry in 1987.

As he recalls the big moment, the widower looks at a photo from the forecourt of Buckingham Palace with his wife of nearly 40 years Ruby, who died of a stroke nine years ago, and his daughter Alison, who died of leukaemia before she turned 30.

Mr Cole said: “Alison wasn’t fazed by it but Ruby was nervous.

“The Queen asked me where I had my optometry practice and I replied, Brentwood. She then said, ‘Oh, Brentwood,’ and that was the end of the conversation.”

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It was a proud moment as was receiving his 100th birthday card - something Mr Cole, a resident of Springfields Nursing Home in Copford, had never imagined because he had never thought about ageing.

For his birthday, the care home organised 100 chocolate cupcakes and for some of his nearest and dearest to celebrate with him.

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These included nephew Steve Bobeldijk, who described his uncle as a “remarkable man”, and long-time friend Frieda Bier, who was married to his closest friend from his days at what was then Northampton Polytechnic.

Mr Cole, born in Ilford, was in the optometry industry for 50 years.

He was a key part of the negotiations over several years which eventually led to the British Optical Association, Scottish Optical Society and Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers coming together as one college and examining body.

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Philip's friends Bruce Evans and Frida Bier 

He said: “I was enlisted into the Army and then had mastoid trouble so I came out in about 1950, and went to Northampton Polytechnic to study.

“But in my Army days, I was in the Essex Regiment.

“I became a Private, then a Sergeant, and after the war began, I went to Cadet training in Scotland and became a Second Lieutenant.”

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