Bomber Command veteran George Dunn to be honoured by His Majesty King Charles III after turning 100

RAF veteran George Dunn is in line to be one of the first recipients of a 100th birthday message from the new King. 

Flight Lieutenant George, from Rottingdean, celebrated his milestone birthday on 21 September with family and friends at a special party. George was one of a number of World War II veterans, who attended the Bomber Command Memorial tenth anniversary in London in June. 

George, who initially trained as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner before training as a Pilot, said: "Bomber Command means everything to me because I think without it the war would have gone on much longer. Thankfully we had a leader in 'Butch' Harris and that was the turn of the tide. 

"The Bomber Command Memorial is important to me because I think it was long overdue. Bomber Command had some bad press after the war, mainly involving Dresden, but I think the fact that nearly all the Royal Family were there to make the unveiling in 2012 was the turn of the tide for public feeling. It was then that the public realised what a contribution Bomber Command had made in the war effort. 

He added: "I have been involved with the RAF Benevolent Fund since about 2009. We have a group in Sussex, which does book-signings at garden centres and museums, and we have raised in the region of £100,000. It shows that we can contribute to the welfare of those that are less fortunate, and the demand is still there. Even though we are not at war, there are still people that are suffering from the effects of the last war, or World War Two, or the Falklands, and they still need the help of the RAF Benevolent Fund."

George completed 44 operations during the Second World War. He flew his first tour from May to October 1943 on Handley Page Halifax bombers with 76 Squadron, during one of the most intense periods of bombing of the war. On completion of his tour, and after a period as an instructor pilot, he then took up duties flying de Havilland Mosquitos, firstly with 608 Squadron and then with No. 1409 Met Flight. 

Hannah Bower, Major Giving Manager at the RAF Benevolent Fund, said: "It has been my privilege to get to know George for the last five years and to learn just a fraction of his bravery and endeavours for our freedom today. It is an honour to help him celebrate this significant birthday and to thank him, not only for his service but also for all he has done to raise vital funds for the Bomber Command Memorial and the RAF Benevolent Fund.

"Thanks to his efforts the Memorial will remain a fitting tribute to the 55,573 lost, in perpetuity and those in need today never need face adversity alone."