May 21, 2021
The Devonport Flagstaff Page 3
Veteran dons wartime garb for big birthday
Local resident and World War II veteran Ron Child dressed as a wartime despatch rider as part of a colourful celebration of his recent 100th birthday. He was given a tiki tour of Devonport in a classic-car cavalcade, chauffeured by local RSA members Michael Grieg and George McGregor, and welcomed to the RSA in Victoria Rd to the sound of bagpipes played by Joe McCallum. After ascending the stairs, his arrival inside was announced by Chris Mullane: “Ladies and gentlemen, a despatch rider has arrived from the front! Please welcome Leading Aircraftman Despatch Rider Ron Child, previously Bombardier Ron Child of the New Zealand Artillery!” Continuing proceedings, RSA President Muzz Kennett gave the assembled family, friends and RSA members a detailed recount of Child’s military service. He initially served as a bombardier, but after a medical downgrading that prevented him serving overseas, transferred to the Royal New Zealand Air Force, where he became a despatch rider. Before a cake-cutting, Navy singer Rebecca Nelson sang a Vera Lynn medley in tribute. “It’s such a special achievement,” she says. “We don’t have many of our World War II veterans left, so to see one of them reach 100 is truly amazing.” Born on 4 May 1921, in Wellington, Child has lived in Devonport for the last nine years, relocating with his wife for a fresh start in 2012, though she sadly died soon after. He has become an active member of the Devonport RSA, and is much-admired in the community. “I feel so lucky to know someone with so much character and integrity,” says his neighbour, Christine First. For his part, the centenarian is thrilled to have reached the milestone. “I started celebrating my birthdays by the decade once I turned 70,” he says. “Then suddenly I was 80, then 90, and now 100. I woke up the next morning and realised, this is the first day of the rest of my life, and the first of a second century!” He believes keeping a sturdy, forward-moving and positive outlook is the secret to a long life. “Young people today have a tremendous responsibility to pick the right course in life. As long as you keep looking ahead and grasp opportunities as they come, in the face of adversities, you will come out stronger.” Counting his journey into his second century by the day, Child is “hell-bent” on doing as much as he can to squeeze every drop of joy and passion out of his life.
Time to celebrate... (clockwise from above) Centenarian Ron Child dressed as a wartime despatch rider for his birthday; in a classic Riley driven by Michael Grieg, with piper Joe McCallum in the back seat; and being serenaded by Navy singer Rebecca Nelson
