A Second World War veteran who lives in Stevenage celebrated his 100th birthday recently with a party attended by more than 50 friends and family members.
Alan Rawlinson puts his longevity down to "sensible living, a small glass of red wine, and parents who lived to more than 90".
He "jokingly" claims to have an allergy to doctors, having not seen one in some time, and, remarkably, he takes no medication.
Alan first moved to the area aged two and a half, when his father was farm foreman at Fairlands Farm - now Fairlands Valley Park. Alan moved onto Shephall Village in 1933, then to Stevenage Old Town in 1947.
When the Second World War began in 1939, he joined the Home Guard because he was too young to serve in the RAF.
Once he met the age requirements, he joined on December 23, 1943, and served until September 23, 1946.
He spent time in Canada, training wireless flight navigators in Avro Anson planes before transitioning to flying and navigating in Mosquito planes.
Alan was a Morse code operator capable of transmitting 22 words per minute. Other postings took place in Peterborough, Staffordshire and Lincolnshire, where he operated from remote radio huts surrounded by large antennae.
Even at the age of 100, Alan is still active and lives independently in the Old Town. He enjoys a walk and a chat with whoever he meets around the lakes at Fairlands Valley.
His birthday party, at Chesfield Downs on December 3, was a loud and joyous occasion with everyone dressing in Christmas tops and a surprise appearance from Mike Simmons, a Scottish bag pipe player.
Alan's eldest son and niece flew in from the USA and acted as photographers, while his youngest son gave a rousing speech.
There was even a cricket-themed '100 not out' birthday cake.
The whole event, organised by his daughter, was broadcast via Zoom to England and the USA, and to relatives who were unable to travel.
Alan was also delighted to receive a 100th birthday card from King Charles III and the Queen Consort.
It now sits alongside his 70th wedding anniversary card from Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Sadly, his wife Peggy passed away earlier this year aged 95.
Alan has one more 100th birthday present to look forward to - a trip to Wimbledon next summer.
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