<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=29ENeT_0v0DDiMx00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=29ENeT_0v0DDiMx00" width="1554" height="874" > George Carden/BBC <figcaption>Jack Hemmings shared his cake with Red Arrows squadron leader Graeme Muscat </figcaption></figure><p> An RAF veteran has celebrated his 103rd birthday at an air show on Eastbourne seafront. </p><p> Jack Hemmings, who is a former RAF squadron leader and a co-founder of humanitarian air operator charity Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), was presented with a cake at Airbourne to mark his birthday, which was the week before. </p><p> The Horam resident shared his cake with Red Arrows squadron leader Graeme Muscat - who described the veteran as a "flying legend". </p><nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate><p> Mr Hemmings said he enjoyed the Red Arrows' display and joked that “they put it all on just for my birthday”. </p><h2> 'A real inspiration' </h2><p> The veteran has continued flying well into his centenary, <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-60787020?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Bnewsbreak.com%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D" rel="nofollow"> performing aerobatics on his 100th birthday </a> , as well as <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-68207753?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Bnewsbreak.com%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D" rel="nofollow"> flying a spitfire </a> in February to raise money for MAF. </p><p> Andy Welham-Jones, from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, said: “Veterans are a real inspiration to us all...they are what events like these are all about – and it’s why we do what we do.” </p><p> Mr Hemmings also attended the Eastbourne International Airshow for his 102nd birthday - where the Red Arrows performed a surprise smoke flyover above his home during the evening. </p><p> The veteran said: “For a moment, I knew how the King must feel.” </p><nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=049t9F_0v0DDiMx00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=049t9F_0v0DDiMx00" width="1536" height="864" > MAF/Jo Lamb <figcaption>Mr Hemmings is a co-founder of MAF </figcaption></figure><p> Mr Hemmings explained that when he first joined the RAF in 1940 he thought "if I am going to fight in a war, I may as well do it sitting down". </p><p> He said: “During wartime, aircrafts were used for destruction; but it has always been my desire that they be used for good." </p><p> Airbourne <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz6x1gwvl06o?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Bnewsbreak.com%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D" rel="nofollow"> started on Thursday </a> and runs until Sunday. </p><nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate><p><em> Follow BBC Sussex on </em><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BBCSussex/" rel="nofollow"><em> Facebook </em></a><em> , on </em><a href="https://twitter.com/BBCSussex/" rel="nofollow"><em> X </em></a><em> , and on </em><a href="https://www.instagram.com/bbcradiosussex/" rel="nofollow"><em> Instagram </em></a><em> . Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. </em></p><h2> More on this story </h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz6x1gwvl06o?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Bnewsbreak.com%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D" rel="nofollow"> Airbourne off to flying start with Red Arrows </a></li><li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-68207753?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Bnewsbreak.com%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D" rel="nofollow"> Ex-RAF pilot, 102, flies Spitfire for first time </a></li><li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-62502349?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Bnewsbreak.com%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D" rel="nofollow"> RAF veteran celebrates 101st birthday with flight </a></li><li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-60787020?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Bnewsbreak.com%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D" rel="nofollow"> RAF veteran, 100, takes memorial flight for friend </a></li></ul><h2> Related internet links </h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.raf.mod.uk/" rel="nofollow"> Royal Air Force </a></li><li><a href="https://www.maf-uk.org/" rel="nofollow"> Mission Aviation Fellowship </a></li></ul><nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate></div></body>

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RAF veteran celebrates 103rd birthday at Airbourne

Jack Hemmings is a former RAF squadron leader and a founder of a humanitarian air operator charity.

RAF veteran celebrates 103rd birthday at Airbourne

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