Rutland RAF veteran Don Munro celebrates 100th birthday

Never missing a meal, keeping an active mind and having a loving family are among a 100-year-old’s top tips for a long life.

Donald George Munro, known as DG or Don, was born in Tain, near Inverness, on March 4, 1924.

He spent his childhood on a farm with his parents Donald and Helen, older brother Jack and younger sister Helen before joining the RAF at the age of 16.

Don said: “I was very nervous. In those days it was a new world coming from a very rural place in Scotland to England - you couldn’t get anything more different.

“The RAF was the making of me and it gave me a wonderful life.”

Get the news delivered straight to your inbox every morning - sign up to The Briefing here

His career, which began at RAF Cranwell, saw him travel the world as a flight lieutenant before returning to the area as an instructor on Victor 1 aircraft stationed at RAF Wittering.

Although he settled quickly into his new life in England, Don has always preferred Scotland.

In October 1951 Don was involved in a plane crash at his RAF base in Swinderby but walked away, miraculously unscathed.

Later that month he received his Air Force Medal at Buckingham Palace from the Duke of Gloucester, which he describes as a highlight of his career.

While stationed at Swinderby he met Mary Toyne. They married in 1954 and had three daughters, Angela, Janet and Karen.

With their children’s education in mind, Don left the RAF in 1968 and moved to Oakham, where he joined the Midland Bank. The move also allowed him to spend much more time with his family.

However, Mary died suddenly in 1989, shortly after Don had retired.

From an early age, Don loved all types of sport and played tennis for the armed forces at Wimbledon for many years, reaching the final of the armed forces’ men’s doubles in 1966.

When he moved to the town he was instrumental in setting up Oakham Tennis Club and Oakham Squash Club.

Don said: “The courts were derelict but I used my knowledge and now it is a booming club.”

In 1992 Don remarried after being introduced to his now-wife Patricia at a fundraising dinner party in Oakham.

Patricia, who is 18 years younger, had been warned Don was ‘too old’ for her and ‘may not have long left’ but she told sceptics she would rather have 10 years with him than live without him. They have now been married 32 years.

As well as being a loving dad, Don is a grandfather five times over and a great-grandfather to two young children.

The death of his own father when he was 13 and his brother, who was shot by the Germans in the Second World War, had a lasting impact on Don and is one of the reasons he is such a family man.

He said: “Family has always been so important to me.”

Angela described her dad as an inspiration to all of the family.

She said: “He has always had a great sense of humour and can be quite shy underneath.

“His upbringing has made him keep things in but those who know him very well will know he is full of life and young at heart.”

Don celebrated his 100th birthday with a family party on Monday at The Finch’s Arms in Hambleton doing what he loves - eating and drinking.

“It is absolutely great to turn 100,” he said. “How could you not be overjoyed?”

He was also visited by Wg Cdr Nikki Duncan, station commander at RAF Wittering, who thanked him for all his years of service.

Among the 100 birthday cards Don received was a message from King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

With more well-wishes still being delivered, the family believes celebrations are only just starting.

Don’s top 10 tips for living a long life

1. Drink: gin and tonic (in a straight glass), Chilean sauvignon blanc, a wee dram of Glenmorangie.

2. Food: never miss a meal. Sea bass, sea bream or any other type of fish. Don’t bother with salad or green vegetables. Always have a dessert.

3. Take daily exercise without fail.

4. Sport: play it, and when you can no longer play it, watch it.

5. Listen to music. My favourites are Runrig, Abba, Fleetwood Mac and Coldplay.

6. Discipline and routine. That is instilled in me from my time in the RAF.

7. Keep your brain active: do crosswords, Words with Friends, play cards.

8. Inherit good genes (and use Boots No 7/ Simple Face Cream for a youthful complexion).

9. Take care with your appearance: clean shoes, clean fingernails, clean handkerchief.

10. Appreciate your family. The love, care and support I have had from mine has helped me to reach this milestone of 100.

What do you think? Do you have any top tips to add to Don’s list? Post them in the comments below...