The Royal Australian Air Force has awarded a certificate of congratulations to Wagga woman Beryle Barton in recognition of sharing a 100th birthday with the armed services wing she served with in World War II.
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Mrs Barton joined the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAF) in April 1942 and celebrates her 100th birthday on Tuesday.
"I fell very honoured and I really feel that I have accepted the certificate in conjunction with all the WAAF who gave their time and efforts to our country to help keep us safe," she said.
"There was no money in offering your services to your country; you did it because the country needed you and we girls fitted in and we did our bit.
"I'm very proud that I belonged to that little group of girls who did a good job and helped the country and protected the country."
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RAAF Wagga Base Group Captain Chris Ellison visited Mrs Barton on Monday to present her with the certificate from the Chief of Air Force, Mel Hupfeld.
"It's a certificate that recognises that her 100th birthday falls in the same year as the Air Force's 100th birthday, and of course that she spent time during the war years as a member of the RAAF," Group Captain Ellison said.
"The air force utilised her skills and knowledge of Sydney's roads to transport largely VIPs across Sydney during the war.
"It was a great privilege to meet Beryle and to hand over that certificate from our chief. She accepted it on behalf of lots of her compatriots during the war who aren't with us."
Mrs Barton joined the women's auxiliary in Sydney where she transported VIP staff around the city during the war.
She was posted to the office of the de Havilland Aircraft Company and drove its engineers around Sydney so they could complete their vital work in building combat planes.
In an age where there were far fewer cars and female drivers, her skills were in demand with the WAAF.
"I was a driver. I didn't train as a driver as I was one before the war," she said.
"The day I was allowed to get a licence, I got one."
One of the highlights of Mrs Barton's time in the WAAF was driving engineer Sir Geoffrey de Havilland to inspect the construction of his most famous aircraft, the Mosquito fighter-bomber.
Mrs Barton moved to Wagga about 25 years ago following the death of her husband, Bruce.
She said she had yet to receive any official letters for her 100th birthday, including from Prime Minister Scott Morrison or the Queen.
"I think she's a bit busy with respect to the Duke of Edinburgh," Mrs Barton said.
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