The incredible life of a Tayside centenarian who guarded Winston Churchill has been celebrated on his 100th birthday.
Len Trevallion, who also once provided security for first man in space Yuri Gagarin, marked his centenary year by treating himself to a new automatic car.
As the last surviving pilot of the wartime Blenheim bombers, the Crieff pensioner was joined by members of the local Aircrew Association for a celebration at McDiarmid Park in Perth.
Mr Trevallion was serving with the Metropolitan Police when war broke out in 1939.
On the beat in Putney, he dealt with unexploded bombs, including several that went off minutes after he had inspected them, and after his own home was damaged in a blast he made the decision to take to the air, qualifying in 1942.
As a pilot he flew in the Mediterranean conflict, flying many missions from Malta and Egypt.
Mr Trevallion said: “I joined the Metropolitan force in 1935 when I was 21 and was in London throughout the Blitz.
“The RAF was losing so many pilots that they came to the police and asked if there was any 100% fit men they could spare.
“I felt I’d be safer up there than I would down here and so I volunteered. I went to America to train, eventually qualifying in June 1942.
“I came back to Great Britain and began operations training on multi-engined aircraft, one of which was the Blenheim.”
Mr Trevallion’s exploits were not limited to his daredevil flying days after the war he returned to the police, rising to the rank of inspector.
He was involved in the investigation which led to the conviction of John Christie, the 10 Rillington Place murderer, and acted as security for Gagarin when he visited London.
Latterly, Mr Trevallion became head of security at the Royal Garden Hotel, not far from the Russian embassy.
As well as his telegram from the Queen, one of his many letters of congratulation yesterday came from the head of MI5.
Speaking yesterday, Mr Trevallion recounted one lucky escape when transporting an aircraft to a new base.
“A squadron in South Africa had lost all their aircraft,” he said.
“I had to fly a replacement down but the weather was so bad I almost ran out of fuel and so I was forced to land in Gibraltar.
“As I came in to land the engines cut out if I’d gone a further 50 yards I would have crashed into the sea.”
He attributes his longevity to a certain amount of luck.
“I must have a lucky gene,” he said.
“My father and grandfather both lived will into their ’90s. I also have my lucky number which is 13. I was born on Friday the 13th and I was in the 13th squadron with the RAF.
“I flew two tours of operations, one of 52 trips which is four times 13 and another of 26 missions which is 13 twice.
“I was also in the squadron for 13 months. Additionally, all my crew Freddy Chapman, Leonard Rivett and Don Bebbington had 13 letters in their name.”