Happy 100th Birthday Peeblian John McOwan

That the Parliament wishes a very happy 100th birthday to John McOwan, a weel kent figure in Peebles; notes that he ran the family jewellery shop on the High Street taking over from his father; recognises that his early career was disrupted by his military service in the 7th Armoured Division from 1939 to 1945 where he first served on the artillery batteries defending the Forth Rail Bridge before being transferred to Egypt and being part of events such as El Alamein and the Desert Campaign before landing in Sicily then at Anzio in Italy, eventually taking part in the D-Day landings and all the major conflicts thereafter; notes that Mr McOwan went on to marry and have a daughter and is now grandfather to three granddaughters and great-grandfather to four great-grandchildren; commends Mr McOwan on his continuing participation in the community, including choir, when permitted, and a number of phone and zoom quizzes in more recent months and understands he is now writing his memoirs; hopes Mr McOwan has a wonderful birthday on 6th February, and sends very best wishes for his centenary year.