A resident of our Grace Joel Retirement Village in Auckland, Jim has ties to both Australia and New Zealand, having served in the Australian Army at the age of 23, where he was a Signalman in the 8th Division Signals regiment.

He endured 3 and a half years as a POW and helped build the infamous Burma Railway, and is now believed to be Australia's most senior war veteran!

After the war, Jim moved to New Zealand where he has lived to this day.

This year’s celebration included a special visit from the Royal Australian Corps of Signals, who honoured Jim’s service with a regimental tie and pin.

Asked how it feels to be 108, Jim’s response was classic: "Not much different to how it felt to be 101!"

Please join us in wishing Jim a very happy birthday!