Jewish Care's own rocket man celebrated his 105th birthday with a party at the Rosetrees home in Friern Barnet. Braham Grant pursued a career in engineering, working for Rolls-Royce, de Havilland Propellers and Lucas Aerospace, where he created patented designs.

He worked on the Blue Streak rocket, originally planned as a nuclear deterrent in 1958 but eventually used in a carrier rocket named Europa. In 1943, he married Edith Wiener and they enjoyed almost 71 years together. Mr Grant's daughter, Michelle, said: "Dad was delighted to receive another telegram from the Queen. He is just amazing. He worked until his 80s and drove until he was 98. He would go on the Underground to lectures at the Institute of Engineering and Technology, where he is still a member."