War veteran becomes golf champion at 101

A war veteran said he was “very surprised” after being crowned a champion at his golf club at the age of 101.

Archie Hemsley beat about 30 of his peers in an over-80s competition at Luffenham Heath Golf Club in Rutland to secure The Eley Trophy.

Mr Hemsley, who served in the Fleet Air Arm during World War Two, said he had won “very few” golf competitions before.

“I’m not all that keen on winning. Other people like that,” he said.

Mr Hemsley returned to the sport after having his prostate removed two years earlier.

He now plays several times a week at the club with his daughter Clare.

He won the competition, which was played on a shortened course over nine holes, after “putting very well”.

But getting out in nature means more to Mr Hemsley than simply competing.

“It’s lovely seeing the birds and the bees, and exercise,” he said.

“If you don’t exercise, you die, I think.”

Mr Hemsley served as a pilot in the Fleet Air Arm, a branch of the Royal Navy that operated aircraft from navy ships.

He was responsible for deterring submarines from attacking naval convoys in the North Atlantic.

After completing a mission, Mr Hemsley would be required to land on the deck of the aircraft carrier, often in treacherous conditions.

He made 100 such landings, 40 of them at night.

“I know that because I had a log book and it was recorded in it,” he said.

“I don’t know anyone with more [landings].”

Mr Hemsley’s heroics continue to be recognised by the Russian government, which has awarded him with medals for helping to deliver supplies to the Red Army during the Arctic convoys.

His most recent medal arrived by post “on the instruction of the President of the Russian Federation” in April, although Mr Hemsley said he felt it was “publicity for the Russians”.

Archie is pictured sat on a red golf buggy with a bag of golf clubs on the back