Naturally the occasion led Lord Rochester to reflect on his long life. As Captain Lord Rochester he served in the Second World War as second in command of a squadron tanks.
“My tank was destroyed and the driver was killed,” he said. “A gunman in the same tank lost his leg. I escaped with only superficial burns to my face and hands. To be in charge, that was a lot of responsibility at such a young age.
“But looking back on life, you only remember the good things really.”
Lord Rochester regards his greatest achievement as meeting Mary Carlisle Weir in 1942. The couple married a year later and had four children.
“I remember saying to one of my brothers that having Mary as my wife was my greatest asset. She was a wonderful person. She was a teacher, and she helped to revive Northwich’s Salt Museum- yes, she did one or two things like that.”