WAR hero Sgt Duncan Rowlinson has celebrated his 100th birthday at Borovere Care Home in Alton.

The former Bomber Command member was joined on his big day by Sqn Ldr John Plenty from RAF Odiham, who presented Sgt Rowlinson with a framed print of a Chinook helicopter signed by the entire 27th Sqn.

Other notable guests included Flt Lt Shaun McCarthy from the Air Training Corps in Alton, Alton town mayor Cllr Pam Jones, Judy Brown from the Alton branch of the Royal British Legion, Hampshire Royal Air Forces Association president David Chandler and many association members.

Borovere manager Karen Shepperdson said: “It was absolutely right that Mr Rowlinson’s 100th birthday should be celebrated in this way, with such touching tributes to his astonishing life and career. We feel very honoured to have Mr Rowlinson in our care, after all he has done for our country.”

Sgt Rowlinson played an integral role in the Second World War. He joined the RAF Volunteer Reserves as a wireless operator and air gunner aged 20, and served at RAF Bobbington, Silverstone and Turweston from 1942-43.

In 1944 he became part of Number 5 Group, Bomber Command, at RAF Skellingthorpe in Lincolnshire, and flew 19 bombing missions over enemy territory. After the war he used his carpentry skills to build new homes and repair those hit by bombs.