By Lauren Crimp
A World War Two veteran says sheer luck has kept him going to his 100th birthday today.
Ken Orman served in the Royal New Zealand Air Force and still has the piece of shrapnel that could have killed him during battle.
Family, friends and neighbours have been pouring in to Orman's Lower Hutt home to celebrate his century, along with some distinguished greetings via the post - the Queen, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, and Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro to name a few.
But rewind 80 years, and just before another milestone birthday, Orman was getting ready to serve in the Royal New Zealand Air Force - despite not yet knowing how to drive a car.
"I trained in Canada, had my 21st birthday, and two days later I graduated as a pilot officer," said Orman.
His first operation in the Bomber Command was a rude awakening.
"I have to say, when I finished it, I thought afterwards, 'If i've got to do another 29 trips like this, I'm not going to last it,'" Orman said.
Ken Orman, who flew for the Royal Airforce in World War Two, and the medals he earned. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
But between then and his final mission in April 1945, Orman completed 38 operations, flying Lancasters with number 186 Squadron.
On display in his home is the piece of shrapnel that struck him below his right eye during an operation that saw two of his fellow pilots go down.
"I was dazed for a moment, blood's going everywhere, and I looked at my hand on the throttles and wiggled my fingers.
"Oh, I'm alright."
Despite his injury, Orman continued fighting. The act later earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross - awarded for gallantry in action - and a bar, for his leadership in the sky.
Ken Orman and the rest of the crew of HK 659 Queenie, who flew for the Royal Airforce in World War Two. Photo: NZ Bomber Command Association Archives
Orman arrived home a few days before Christmas, 1945.
He was one of 6000 young Kiwis to serve in the RAF Bomber Command - but one of just 2000 who returned.
Lindsay Mouat from the New Zealand Bomber Command Association said Orman's job was one of the most dangerous, and had the highest casualty rate of any services in the war.
"When the crew took off at night, they had no certainty that their fellow air crew from other aircraft in the squadron would return," said Mouat.
It made a 100th birthday celebration all the more momentous.
"We have only around a dozen veterans remaining here in New Zealand who served in Bomber Command, and Ken is actually the fifth who has turned 100, so it's a very special day."
Ken Orman and the rest of the crew of HK 659 Queenie, who flew for the Royal Airforce in World War Two Photo: NZ Bomber Command Association Archives
Orman's son, Peter, is incredibly proud of his dad.
"He's an amazing guy, best dad you could ever have," he said.
"It's super special, being an old cricketer I told him he had to make his ton.
"He was an opening batsman, so I think he's seen it as a duty to do it."
