A VETERAN from World War Two has celebrated his 102nd birthday with a special reunion.

Jeff Brereton, from Evesham, had the chance to fly alongside the aircraft he helped maintain during the heroic Battle of Britain in 1940.

The 102-year-old took to the air in a BE505, the world's only two-seat Hurricane, whilst flying alongside him was the R4118, the only remaining airworthy Mk 1 Hurricane to have taken part in the Battle of Britain.

Mr Brereton volunteered for the RAF in January 1940 at just 19 years old.

Evesham Journal: Jeff Brereton in the cockpit.Jeff Brereton in the cockpit. (Image: Royal Air Forces Association)

He was called up that spring and sent on an aero-engineering course where he qualified as a Flight Mechanic – Engine. 

He joined the 605 Squadron at RAF Croydon and was soon repairing Hurricanes, including R4118, in the hectic days of the Battle of Britain.

"I have great memories of the plane," he said.

"Of all the aircraft I dealt with, that was the one that stuck in my mind.

"It was unbelievable to be able to see that aircraft again, that it had survived."

Mr Brereton's story first came to light when he gave an interview with Air Mail, the RAF Association's member magazine.

The team realised that the Hurricane he worked on had not only been restored but was still flying.

Evesham Journal: Mr Brereton inspecting the aircraft.Mr Brereton inspecting the aircraft. (Image: Royal Air Forces Association)

The Association immediately contacted James Brown, the current owner of the R4118 Hurricane.

Mr Brown runs Hurricane Heritage, an organisation based at the historic White Waltham Airfield where visitors can experience flying in and alongside these iconic aircraft.

"Once you leave that ground, you're in a completely different world altogether," Mr Brereton added.

"You can't have that feeling on Earth. You see the same clouds, but they don't look the same, they don't feel the same. I can't wait to do it again."

Mr Brown arranged for Jeff to come to the airfield with his family, jump in the cockpit and take to the skies.

He said: "The story is just an unbelievable coincidence, and it's so incredibly lucky to have found Jeff.

"I just couldn't believe that there was this amazing guy who was still around and actually remembers working on our Hurricane."