A military veteran who was tasked with making sure German U-boats did not attack convoy crossings has celebrated his 100th birthday.  

David Berry, from Huntingdon, was 16 when the Second World War began and served with the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm.  

He was a Telegraphist Air Gunner in the Fairey Swordfish, a biplane aircraft which has two wings placed one above the other and an open cockpit. 

Their design meant the wings could be folded up for storing on the aircraft carriers they would take off and land on at sea.  

The Hunts Post: David Berry was 16 when the Second World War started and he served with the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm.David Berry was 16 when the Second World War started and he served with the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm. (Image: Supplied by Anne Barron)Mr Berry's role would have involved providing communications by Morse code and man the rear gun of the aircraft.   

He had to keep the U-boats submerged to prevent them from attacking the military and civilian convoys crossing the seas.  

When he was on reconnaissance flights, the crew were dressed in civilian clothes and ready with a cover story in case they were captured.  

Speaking to ITV Anglia News at his birthday gathering, he joked: "Flying off ships can be hairy. Landing back on them can be even more hairy. 

"But, basically, it's just part of the excitement of life. And let's face it, life without excitement must be pretty terrible I think." 

The Hunts Post: Mr Berry was a Telegraphist Air Gunner in the Fairey Swordfish, a biplane torpedo bomber. Mr Berry was a Telegraphist Air Gunner in the Fairey Swordfish, a biplane torpedo bomber. (Image: Supplied by Anne Barron)To celebrate his centenary, Mr Berry was reunited with the Fairey Swordfish at an event in May at the Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden, Bedfordshire.  

As guest of honour, he shared his fascinating wartime experiences as well as life anecdotes with the crowds. 

After his time with the Fleet Air Arm, Mr Berry joined the Army as a Major.  

He also met his late wife Eleonore who was German and had been captured during the war while working for the Luftwaffe.  

They were married until she passed away in June 2017.  

Mr Berry also worked for the Ministry of Defence in intelligence until his retirement.  

His birthday was on December 27 and says the secret to longevity is “simply not dying”.