A VETERAN and self-taught musician who recently celebrated his 100th birthday has died.

Cyril Turner, who lived at Sycamore Court Nursing Home in Fitzherbert Drive, Brighton, died peacefully on Saturday, April 11.

The centenarian, who was abandoned as a baby and survived the Battle of Dunkirk in 1940, had been treated to a socially distant party to mark his milestone birthday.

On Sunday, March 22, just before the coronavirus lockdown was introduced, Cyril’s granddaughter Suzie Turner arranged a party at the nursing home, with Saltdean Jazz Band playing to residents at a safe distance.

Although many of his family members were unable to celebrate with him in person due to travel restrictions, Cyril received birthday messages from family, friends and celebrities from around the world after his granddaughters Suzie and Sadie Turner made an appeal on social media for videos to show the 100-year-old in his nursing home.

The Argus:

As well as a letter from the Queen, Cyril was sent birthday wishes from Sharon Stone, Boy George, Vinny Jones and Chris Moyles.

Born in 1920, Cyril was abandoned as a baby outside the Salvation Army base in Uckfield.

He was taken in by the Turner family who lived in Buxted and started teaching himself the trombone at the age of 11.

As a soldier in the Second World War Cyril would carry a trumpet around with him, but had to leave his precious instrument on the beach at the Battle of Dunkirk.

>> SEE ALSO: Brighton 100-year-old's birthday goes viral amidst coronavirus crisis

Cyril had a lifelong dedication to the Salvation Army and was a member of their Uckfield band after the war.

A multi instrumentalist, he played the cornet in the Brighton Congress Hall Band after moving to the city in 1960.

Cyril and his wife Kathleen ran a convenience store in Stanmer Villas and had three children – twins Phil and Geoff, and Bob, who died last year.

He had 12 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.

Cyril’s family described him as “kind, funny and loving right to the end” and “a wonderful man who will always be missed”.

The Argus:

Speaking ahead of his 100th birthday, his granddaughter Suzie said: “When I go and visit him I can always hear him singing.

“He has dementia so he might do a repetitive tune.

“When I come in his face just lights up.

“I could sit with him all day and he’s just so full of gratitude.”

Suzie’s sister Sadie Turner, who lives in Los Angeles, said: “As long as we can remember, he was always helping others.”