A World War Two RAF veteran recently celebrated his 100th birthday by receiving long overdue medals at Teesside International Airport

Almost 80 years since he last flew with the RAF Warrant Officer Kaz Yajima marked his centenary with a Typhoon flypast, medal presentation and a celebratory cake. Demobbed in 1946, Kaz did not initially apply for the war medals he was entitled to. Together with his wife Freda, he was welcomed to Teesside International Airport by a guard of honour from RAF Leeming and greeted by 6 Squadron’s Wg Cdr Rees.

A flypast from that unit’s Typhoon jets, now based at Lossiemouth, provided a fitting finale.

W/O Kaz Yajima joining the RAF aged 18 and underwent pilot training in South Africa under the Empire Flying Scheme. Expressing concerns that the war might be over before he could contribute, he volunteered for 6 Squadron and arrived in Foggia on August 1, 1944. He went on to fly numerous operations in Hurricane Mk.IV – these included armed reconnaissance, anti-shipping and anti-submarine ‘ops’.

Kaz commented: “The flypast did bring back memories although it was a very different aircraft. I think everything that’s gone into today has been really wonderful and I’m very grateful. I’m proud of the time I spent in the RAF, it was a great body to be part of.”