A group of cadets visited a former RAF gunner to help him celebrate his 100th birthday.

John Waye, from West Malling, served during the Second World War aboard B24 Liberator bombers.

Despite the harsh conditions and danger, the former Sergeant fondly recalls the camaraderie he found with colleagues during his three years of service, which took him to India, North Africa and Burma, and so he was delighted to be joined at his birthday by members of 2374 (Ditton) Squadron Air Training Corps.

Born in Bermondsey in London, Mr Waye married Alice Walker, known as Betty, who had served as a Sergeant in the WAAF, in 1947.

They had two daughters, Margaret and Jane, and Mr Waye now has four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, with another on the way.

He spent his civilian life working as a tailor in Savile Row, London.

His granddaughter Katy Franks said: “He has always been very smartly dressed. Even today, you never see him without a shirt and tie.”

Sadly Mr Waye’s wife died in 2004 and a few years later he moved to St Mary’s Court, a retirement scheme in Church Fields, West Malling, to be near his family, where he has now lived for 16 years.

He is the first resident to turn 100.

Mrs Franks said: “We’ve never thought of Grandad as an old man, because right up until Covid he was very active.

“He would join us on family holidays to the Dordogne and he was even still keeping up three allotments. He is quite a character.

“He did suffer during Covid, not from the disease, but from the inactivity, he just couldn’t get out as he wanted.”

She said: “Grandad lives by the mantra ‘every day is a school day’ and you’ll often find him with his nose in a book learning about something new.

“He always says yes to every opportunity.

“He even visited India while in his 80s, where his hunger for knowledge shone.”

She said: “A London bus ride with Grandad is always an adventure, with him revealing his encyclopedic knowledge of the streets he grew up in and bringing to life a lost city of dockworkers and market traders.

“For his children, grandchildren and now great-grandchildren, he has always been a constant, a rock, always ready with a supporting wink or smile.”

“He takes great joy in simple pleasures like a hearty breakfast or a good ale. He has such a positive spirit!”

Mr Waye was joined at his party, on November 25 by many members of his extended family and by other residents from St Mary’s.

Mark Long, Officer Commanding of 2374 (Ditton) Squadron said: “John is a remarkable man. It was a privilege for the cadets to be able to join him on his birthday.”