A 97-year-old veteran has ticked swimming off his bucket list after returning to the water for the first time since World War II.

Roger Roberts, a resident at Ideal Carehomes’ Foley Grange care home in Kidderminster, told staff that it was on his bucket-list to get back in the water, as he “had always been a strong swimmer”.

Roger said: “My motto in life is ‘never give up and keep on going’, and that’s what made me want to get back in the water. When I first got into the pool, it felt amazing, and I was delighted that Foley Grange could make it happen. I was also very glad that this time I was in the water, the water was warm!”

The 97-year-old joined the army when he was just 16 years old during World War II. He later enrolled in the Royal Navy in 1943, boarding the HMS Charybdis, a Dido-class cruiser launched in 1940.

In October 1943, the HMS Charybdis was hit by German torpedo boats. Working in the engine room at the time of the strike, Roger was told to abandon the quickly sinking ship.

Roger and around 100 other survivors took to the water, swimming for their lives. They were eventually rescued by a British ship and taken to Davenport, and Roger had not been swimming ever since.

When Roger moved to Foley Grange in January 2022, the care staff were amazed to hear his story.

Eager to help Roger tick swimming off his bucket-list, Foley Grange’s home manager, Hannah Atkinson, got in touch with Wyre Forest Leisure Centre, who were more than happy to invite Roger to the pool.

Hannah said: “When I watched Roger getting back in the water, it was a very heartfelt moment and brought tears to my eyes. To see Roger so happy and content in the water was amazing, and he was so thankful for the opportunity.

“Thanks to the Wyre Forest Leisure Centre, we’re now able to offer swimming sessions to our residents every Tuesday. Roger is a regular attendee!”