BATTLE OF BRITAIN ‘LACE’
Mr Bruce Townsend, one of South Australia’s few remaining World War 2 veterans, has celebrated his 100th birthday with a special event at the RAAF Base Edinburgh Officers Mess in Adelaide.
Born on 1 February 1925 in Peterborough, South Australia, Bruce was just 14 when he had to leave school to work after his father, a World War I veteran, was tragically killed in an accident in 1939.
At 18, he enlisted in the RAAF and served as a pay clerk during World War 2, completing postings at Nhill, Laverton and Williamtown before deploying to Balikpapan, Nadzab and Noemfoor. From 1950 to 1959, he dedicated himself to Everyman’s Welfare Service, a Christian not-for-profit organisation supporting ADF personnel at bases including Puckapunyal, Wacol, Kapooka, Ingleburn and Holsworthy, where he also participated in field exercises.
Bruce has been a long-time member of the Air Force Association (SA) Mitcham Branch. He and his wife, Josie, now 94, live in aged care and recently celebrated their 74th wedding anniversary in November 2024. With three children, 11 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren, his legacy is as strong as his service.
To mark his milestone birthday, Bruce was honoured with a Chief of Air Force Letter of Congratulations and Coin from AIRCDRE Grant Fifield, a special birthday cake featuring the Air Force Badge from the RAAF Edinburgh team and an AFA-SA 100th Birthday Card from Robert Black. He was overjoyed to experience a flight line visit to see a PC-21 aircraft and spend the day with his son, son-in-law and three grandchildren.
AFA-SA State Executives Robert Black, President of the Mitcham Branch and AFA-SA State Councillor, and Steve Fielder, Vice President of AFA-SA, were honoured to attend the celebration.
Well done to RAAF Edinburgh for making Bruce’s 100th birthday truly special! What a fitting tribute to a man from a remarkable generation who gave so much for our nation. Happy birthday, Bruce!
Image courtesy of Department of Defence – AIRCDRE Grant Fifield, Commander Air Warfare Centre and Senior Air Force Representative (SA) presents AFA (SA) Mitcham Branch member and WW2 veteran with a Chief of Air Force Letter of Congratulations and a Chief of Air Force Coin for his 100th Birthday at RAAF Based Edinburgh.