Forres Meadowlark care Home resident Bill Shepherd turned 101 years-old on June 30.
A former RAF serviceman, now Forres care home resident, turned 101-years-old yesterday (June 30).
Staff and residents at Meadowlark Care Home, Mannachie Road - one of 18 homes operated by Renaissance Care - marked William Shepherd’s birthday with balloons, refreshments and other treats.
Bill revealed that the secret to his long life is fishing and plenty of fresh air.
He added: “I’ve noticed the role of men has changed the most over my lifetime. Women have more equal rights … Which is great!”
Meadowlark activities coordinator, Derra Kew, enjoys a laugh with Bill, who is originally from Bridge of Don, a suburb of Aberdeen.
She said: “He’s been here since March. I enjoy talking to him. He saw a lot of action in the skies during World War II.”
Bill was born at home in Aberdeen and had one younger brother.
When he was four, his father bought the cottage in Bridge of Don that he grew up in until he left home.
His father was a ship’s engineer who sadly lost his life when the merchant navy ship he was on was torpedoed by a German submarine during the First World War.
Bill joined the Royal Air Force aged just 19, going on to serve as a gunner on a Lancaster Bomber as part of Squadron 156.
Squadron 156 was based at RAF Warboys, RAF Upwood and finally its original founding base, RAF Wyton, where it disbanded on September 25, 1945.
Bill recalls flying over Germany more than 49 times on missions. He was a flight sergeant but by the time he left the RAF, he was Regimental Sergeant Major.
After leaving the forces aged 46, he worked in the grain industry as the manager of a mill in his hometown.
His favourite pastime was salmon fishing around Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
“My favourite spot was Woodside, Aberdeen,” he said. “The most I caught in a single session was eight - some I kept and others I gave away.
“My proudest achievement is catching 31.5 inch salmon … But others have caught bigger ones of course!”
As well as fishing, Bill also loved gardening, like his father and grandfather before him.
He explained: “I loved the fresh air and seeing things grow.”
