FORMER Bomber Command member Sgt Duncan Rowlinson celebrates his 100th birthday today (Friday).

Sgt Rowlinson flew 19 bombing missions over enemy territory as a wireless operator on a Lancaster bomber between March and May 1944.

He then became seriously ill and spent five months in hospital. In his absence his crew flew a sortie to Brunswick and never returned.

After the Second World War Mr Rowlinson turned his carpentry skills to building new homes and repairing those damaged by bombs.

Mr Rowlinson is a resident of Borovere Care Home in Alton, and senior care assistant Carly Goldsworthy hopes his career will be honoured on his big day. She said: “We should be joined by a squadron leader in uniform and someone from the Royal Air Forces Association with a standard flag.”

Mr Rowlinson joined the RAF Volunteer Reserves aged 20 in November 1941 as a wireless operator/air gunner.

Training on Avro Ansons and Vickers Wellingtons, he served at RAF Bobbington, Silverstone and Turweston between 1942 and 1943 before converting to Lancasters at an Operational Training Unit.

In March 1944 he joined 50 Squadron at RAF Skellingthorpe in Lincolnshire, part of Number 5 Group, Bomber Command.