BETHSALEM, St Elizabeth — Centenarian Aston Nehemiah Augustus Senior sat on his verandah in this district recounting his service in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during World War II, and the Royal Army Medical Corps as a nursing orderly which won him flowers from grateful patients.

“I was happy to serve,” he told the Jamaica Observer last Wednesday, four days ahead of the Royal Air Forces Association Jamaica 580 Branch’s 80th anniversary celebration scheduled for today at Up Park Camp, the Jamaica Defence Force headquarters in St Andrew.

Senior was among a group of Jamaican youngsters who sailed to England in 1944 and volunteered for service with the RAF as the global conflict raged.

He recalled being sent to the RAF training base at Melkshamin in Wiltshire, while others, who had arrived in the country before, were at the RAF training camp called Hunmanby Moor near the town of Filey in North Yorkshire.

Centenarian Aston Nehemiah Augustus Senior received certificates of congratulations and gallantry to mark his 100th birthday. (Photos: Garfield Robinson)

While he embraced military discipline, Senior said he and his fellow Jamaicans did not tolerate disrespect.

“You know we Jamaicans don’t stand for nonsense. I can remember when letters came, the sergeant would take them and just sling them. We told him not to sling no letter to us. Carry it and put it in our hands,” Senior shared.

He also recalled unpleasant memories of racism he faced as a young aircraftman.

“Those up by Filey, they had to turn on the hose to drill them; it was prejudice,” he told the Sunday Observer, and recalled an experience one of his countrymen had of a young man telling him that he was a monkey.

Centenarian Aston Nehemiah Augustus Senior smiles as he shares with the Jamaica Observer last Wednesday some of his experiences while serving with the Royal Air Force during World War II. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

“He carried one banana and asked him if he wanted one, and remember, they don’t have any bananas there,” said Senior.

“It happened to me too. One came to me and said, ‘How are you black and put on a white shirt and it doesn’t turn black?’ ” Senior shared. “You know what would happen to me if I answer him and say, ‘How when you put on a black shirt it doesn’t turn white?’, I would be dead,” added Senior.

He said that during his tenure as a nursing orderly in the Royal Army Medical Corps between 1950 and 1952, he was credited for good work.

“Excellent. When I was on the wards the patients loved me so much that they carried flowers to give me,” Senior said, adding that he so mastered his training and execution of his duties that he was, at times, chosen to invigilate young soldiers.

“I used to look over those doing their exam to see what they are doing,” he said.

Senior told the newspaper that he returned to Jamaica on the MV Empire Windrush, and continued to contribute to national development at home.

“I have been on all sorts of missions for which I have received commendation,” added Senior.

On July 15 when he marked his 100th birthday, Senior received a letter of celebration from British High Commissioner to Jamaica Alicia Herbert, which was shared with the Sunday Observer.

“I have been privileged to meet you twice during my time in Jamaica, and on both occasions I was deeply impressed by your warmth, dignity, and strength of character. The qualities that marked your military service have clearly remained with you throughout your life,” the letter read in part.

“As family and friends gather to celebrate this special occasion, they do so in honour of a life of service, resilience and achievement. On behalf of the Government of the United Kingdom and the staff of the British High Commission in Kingston, I extend my sincere gratitude for your distinguished service and enduring contribution,” Herbert added.

“Your legacy is one of which both Jamaica and the United Kingdom can be proud. Please accept my very best wishes for a joyous 100th birthday and for continued health, happiness and peace in the years ahead,” she said.

Over the years Senior spent short stints in Curphey Home in Manchester, which accommodates retired soldiers who served during both world wars. His most recent stay there followed the passage of Hurricane Melissa last October and a house fire in December.

He returned to Bethsalem after his home was rebuilt by members of the Jamaica National Reserve, financed by the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.