Run over four weeks, a series of presentations have been made to Air Force veteran centenarians residing in Port Stephens and the Hunter, all of whom celebrated their 100th birthday with the world's second oldest air force.

"We had a number of framed mementos, which had been held off due to COVID lockdowns and health considerations, which have now been formally presented to local veterans," said Williamtown RAAF Base Wing Commander Sue Yates.

"The first of two of these were Charles 'Clem' Jones and Sid Handsaker, both Spitfire pilots, which took place at the Rutherford home of Mr Jones. This date (April 23) was important as Mr Jones celebrated his 101st birthday on the day of presentation, April 23."

Mr Handsaker was humbled by the attention.

"He said it was 'absolutely perfect and a lovely acknowledgement' adding to GPCAPT Anthony Stainton's comment that 'we should never forget our history'," WGCDR Yates said.

Raymond Terrace's Walter Thomas Searles, born in July 1921, enlisted in October 1941 in the Australian Army and was discharged in December 1942, where upon he joined the Royal Australian Air Force and remained until July 1946.

He enlisted for the sense of adventure and excitement as he had never been anywhere.

Mr Searles loved to read but failing eyesight in recent years has made reading difficult. He goes for drives with his daughter as least twice a week and he enjoys the company of the other residents at the aged care facility in Raymond Terrace.

As for the secret to longevity, Mr Searles said that he had always been active and had a healthy lifestyle. He is a non-smoker, non-drinker, and he cycled to work every day.

The remaining two centenarians were Bill Cox and Eric Hill, who attended a ceremony last Friday's at Williamtown's Fighter World museum, hosted by Air Base Executive Officer/Commanding Officer 26SQN - Wing Commander Matthew Walsh.

Mr Cox, who turned the magical 100 on November 15, 2021, enlisted in the RAAF in January 1944 with the 7^th Operational Training Unit and at one point nearly died from sepsis in his big toe.

"I was proud to serve my country and I valued the friendships and camaraderie developed during the war years," he said.

Bill, a passionate fisherman, later worked as a machinist and did wire drawing for 35 years before working in the mines. He puts his longevity down to "good family and good luck".

Mr Hill, who celebrated his 100th birthday on October 31, began his military career in the Militia in 1938 at the age of 17. They were known as the Royal Australian Artillery and were trained to man the local guns at King George Sound.

In 1942 he was transferred to 5th Garrison Battalion stationed in Albany, and promoted to Bombardier Clerk but left the Militia to enlist in the RAAF.

After completing his training he was sent to Cunderdin in WA and served as a guard, trainee pilot on Tiger Moth and Avro Anson Aircraft, had lectures on Morse code, meteorology, aircraft recognition, principles of flight, how engines work, navigation and how machine guns operate.

Mr Hill received his 'Wings' in July 1944 after finishing training on a plane with two engines and was then sent to Melbourne Transit Depot in preparation for going into action overseas. Due to a lack of aircraft, however, he remained in Melbourne where he undertook courses in jungle training, and reconnaissance.

He learnt to fly Liberator Bombers and became second pilot to Laurie Denham and crew of a navigator, the gunners, a bombardier, two wireless operators and an engineer. By the time they formed up as a squadron the war in the Pacific was just about over.

Mr Hill discharged from the RAAF on in May 4, 1946 and relocated to Sydney where he found work in the telephone exchange, which led to more training, promotions and finally a clerical position for Telstra.

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