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Veteran honoured with flypast for 103rd birthday

Aled Scourfield
BBC News
RAF Hawk jet aircraft flew over John Martin's bungalow to celebrate his 103rd birthday

A World War Two veteran has been honoured with a special RAF flypast to celebrate his 103rd birthday.

John Martin, from Tanygroes, Ceredigion, escaped from a burning aircraft over the skies of Berlin on 30 January 1944 while working as a wireless radio operator during an attack on the German capital.

Four members of the crew were killed while Mr Martin, then 21, was captured and made a prisoner of war until his liberation by allied forces in 1945.

Speaking at the celebration, Mr Martin recalled his survival as being a "bit of a miracle" while two hawk jet RAF aircraft from RAF Valley on Anglesey flew over his home.

Photograph of 103 year old John Martin on his birthday on 16 June 2025. He wears a blue shirt and a red and navy stripe tie. He has silver hair and looks directly at the camera. He is sat outside on his drive.
John Martin wrote his first book about his experiences in the war at the age of 95

Friends and family gathered outside in support, including his neighbour, Steve Evans, who contacted the RAF to ask how if they could help honour him.

"It's quite an achievement to reach that age," Mr Evans said.

"It was blink-and-you'll-miss-it really, but it was quite something to see. I think John's enjoyed it."

Mr Martin, originally from London, retired to Ceredigion with his late wife Adelaide.

West Wales veterans Black and white archive photograph of John Martin. He holds a wooden pipe to his mouth and wears a suit. He has brown curled short hair and looks directly at the camera. West Wales veterans
At just 21 years old, Mr Martin survived being blown out of the skies above Berlin at 20,000 feet

Recalling his miraculous escape from the Lancaster bomber in 1944, Mr Martin said the aircraft was sent into a nosedive at 20,000 feet after being hit by enemy fire.

"I was literally blown out of the Lancaster and the first thing I knew when I regained consciousness was seeing a huge piece of aircraft coming by," he said.

"I was very lucky that didn't hit me."

Mr Martin had to parachute into a field where he was captured and made a prisoner of war until his liberation.

He admitted the jets used in the flypast were "faster" than the Lancaster bombers he flew in.

"I almost didn't see them," he added.

A group of people can be seen stood on a shared drive outside Mr Martin's home. One RAF officer stands in uniform, behind Mr Martin, who sits on a chair on the stones wearing a blue shirt and grey trousers, with a parcel on his lap. The sun shines and RAF banners are hung across the drive.
Family and friends showed up in support for Mr Martin, who is described as a "remarkable character"

Mr Martin's eldest son Nick Martin, 75, said: "It happened very quickly, but it was very exciting.

"I think it showed my father how much the RAF had changed really in the time from when a Lancaster came lumbering over and you'd have a good 10 minutes watching it.

"The RAF were wonderful to come and fly their planes, and come and say happy birthday to dad.

"A life is a combination of luck, what you make of it and your genes, and I think he's had all three."

A 75-year-old man with silver hair smiles at the camera. He has a short silver beard and brown eyes and he wears a navy and red striped rugby jersey.
Mr Martin's son, Nick, described the flyover as a "special moment"

Mr Martin's daughter-in-law, Anne Martin, said he was a remarkable character.

"He wrote his first book when he was 95 about his experiences," she said, referring to Mr Martin's war time memoir A Raid Over Berlin, which has been on the Sunday Times Best Sellers list.

"Even at 103, he's still doing the gardening, all his own house work," she added.

" Everybody loves John."