A SECOND World War RAF veteran – who recently celebrated his 100th birthday – had the privilege of lighting the beacon in Sturminster Newton as part of VE Day 80 celebrations.

Arthur ‘Jim’ Freer was invited to perform the lighting of the beacon by mayor Helen Lacey, who came to Jim’s care home, Newstone House, for his 100th birthday celebrations.

Jim risked his life to fly more than 30 missions over Germany and occupied France during the war and was awarded France’s highest order of merit Légion d’Honneur for his role in the liberation of the country.

He said: “I accepted the mayor’s kind invitation to light the beacon not for me but on behalf of many other colleagues.

“I feel immensely lucky to be one of those who came back from the sorties, as so many didn’t. I’ve also had the massive good fortune to have reached 100.”

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Born in Northamptonshire, Jim began his working life as a junior draftsman at the Harborough Aircraft Company, which made engine frames for Lancaster bombers.

He pursued his wish to fly, which led him to join a Royal Canadian Air Force crew as a flight engineer and flying officer stationed in Yorkshire, part of RAF Bomber Command.

He and his colleagues flew Halifax bombers, with Jim completing 33 operations, including on D-Day where he supported Canadian troops pushing into the French city of Caen.

Service personnel came to the home to celebrate Jim’s contribution in the war as a member of the RAF Picture: Newstone House

After VE Day in 1945, Jim was posted to the far east as a signals officer and crewed Avro York freight aircraft for the RAF postal service.

Once the war was finally over, he rejoined his old company, which had relocated to Maidenhead, and gained successive promotions to the level of production director.

He then worked for eight years for Cobham Engineering in Wimborne, eventually retiring to the Dorset village of Child Okeford.

Jim’s party at Newstone House was an opportunity to reflect on both his military service and civilian career.

Among those attending were representatives of the RAF Association, Royal British Legion and RAF Boscombe Down, several in uniform or wearing medals and service ties.

Jim on his 100th birthday Picture: Newstone House

There was a video tribute from the Canadian Royal Air Force, a letter from the French ambassador to the UK and photos presented on behalf of the RAF and Red Arrows.

In a thank-you letter to the Newstone House team for arranging and hosting the party, Jim’s wife Valerie wrote: “I wanted him to have a very special and memorable day and you really gave him this.

“The occasion had everything: praise, gratitude, formality and a wide-ranging appreciation, so representative of the great sacrifice made by thousands of young men as a thank-you and welcome from everyone who lived to benefit and enjoy the freedom we have and continue to enjoy today.”

Newstone House Home Manager April King said: “It was a joy to host a party which not only paid tribute to Jim himself, but also paid homage to all those who served in the war and did not have the luxury of celebrating many birthdays.”