THE FAMILY of a the founder of one of the best known supermarkets in the area have paid tribute to him as they approach the 100th anniversary of his birth.

Stan Faulks, who founded Stans Superstore in St Martins, was born in Oswestry on January 10, 1921 and would have been celebrating his 100th birthday on Sunday.

His son Peter paid tribute to his dad and says his life up to his death in 1988 was driven by his harrowing war experiences and his desire to work hard after the Second World War.

"Dad was born and educated in Oswestry and as a young man worked as an errand boy at Philips grocery store,” he said.

"He became an apprentice gas fitter before volunteering with the RAF. He was posted to the Far East and was unfortunately captured by the Japanese and was held as a prisoner of war for three-and-a-half years, suffering from severe physical hardship, malnutrition, and various tropical diseases.

"On his release he weighed just six stone and was classified as 50 per cent disabled. It took a long time for him to recover, but his war experience made him determined to make something of his life in respect to those who didn’t return.

"Stan had met Vera (mum) before the war and they married in 1946 and went to have two sons, me and Robert.

"With the help of his brother-in-law, Jack Brown, he took over a fish and chip shop in St. Martins and eventually the shop next door, which became Stans shop.

"Stan and Vera worked very hard in the business and became involved in the local mining community, always helping others and supporting local charities. The shop developed over many years into ‘Stans Superstore’.

"Dad passed away in 1988 and me and Robert are now semi-retired.

"The third and fourth generation can now be seen working in the store and we can only hope that he is as proud of us as we all are of him and Vera. Happy Birthday Stan."