Happy birthday to Peter Picken, who is turning 100 today.
Peter was born in Brisbane, Queensland, and is a Second World War veteran.
In December 1941, Peter enlisted in Brisbane as air crew in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
He trained in Canada and afterwards served in the UK, the Middle East, and India. He attained the rank of flying officer and while posted to India, was involved in convoy escorts in the Bay of Bengal. Peter was last posted to the Headquarters Royal Air Force (RAF) Bengal and Burma, when discharged from RAAF in December 1945.
After the war, Peter worked as an executive with Qantas Airways for 30 years. During that time, he spent three years working in London. Peter was married to Joan and they had one daughter. Sadly, Joan and their daughter have passed away.
As a result of his wartime service with No. 354 Squadron RAF, Peter also became a member of the Burma Star Association. Peter now enjoys spending time with his son-in-law and likes to read The Sydney Morning Herald every day.
Peter said the secret to his long life is a ‘wise choice of ancestors’.
#mattkeogh #veterans
