An heroic war veteran is celebrating after finally receiving his war medals on his 100th birthday.

Warrant Officer Kaz Yajima’s remarkable RAF career was commemorated at a special ceremony at Teesside Airport on Thursday.

The Middleton St George resident joined the air force aged 18 and was posted to South Africa for pilot training under the Empire Flying Scheme. Fearful that the war might be over before he was able to contribute, he volunteered for 6 Squadron and arrived in Foggia, Italy, on August 1, 1944.

An everlasting sign of his heroism and bravery can be seen as he still bears Perspex splinters below his left eye – a result of ammunition which came through one side of his cockpit canopy and ricocheted off his goggles before exiting through the other side.

Demobbed in 1946, he never applied for his war medals, and his 100th birthday was the perfect opportunity to set that straight.

The Northern Echo: Warrant Officer Kaz Yajima's 100th birthday ceremony to present him with the medals he never received with his wife Freda Warrant Officer Kaz Yajima's 100th birthday ceremony to present him with the medals he never received with his wife Freda (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Welcomed to the airport by a guard of honour from RAF Leeming, Yajima and his wife Freda were greeted by Wing Commander Noel Rees, officer commanding 6 Squadron. Long overdue medals were finally presented, and champagne corks popped.

RAF officers from across the UK travelled to the region to attend the ceremony and saw a flypast of Typhoons from 6 Squadron, now based at RAF Lossiemouth - an extra special occasion to celebrate a true champion.

The Northern Echo: Kaz Yajima can now finally wear his medals that have eluded him for so long Kaz Yajima can now finally wear his medals that have eluded him for so long (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Yajima said: “I knew there would be some people here but it’s great to see so many come along, I’m very impressed with everything that has been put on for me.”

In an esteemed career, he was involved in missions including armed reconnaissance, anti-shipping and anti-submarine operations in the Hurricane Mk IV. Despite decades out of the air force it is an institution that Yajima still follows and supports. “It’s a wonderful body to belong to,” he said.

On his return to the UK, Yajima went back to his old job as a steel fabricator at the Dorman Long steelworks in Redcar before joining ICI and at Billingham, eventually retiring at the age of 60. After this he became self-employed and worked as a consultant design engineer for a further 10 years.

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In recognition of his service, Warrant Officer Kaz Yajima was awarded the following medals:

1. 1939-45 Star.

2. Italy Star.

3. Defence Medal.

4. War Medal 1939-45.

5. GSM 18 – Palestine 1945-48 GRI