Decorated Kiwi pilot turns 100
Regardless of what has been notched up at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, it is hard to imagine a more impressive century being celebrated this summer than that of Wing Commander Thomas Welch Horton.
Horton, DSO DFC and bar, who was born and raised in Masterton, will celebrate his 100th birthday in Naples, Florida, today. He is understood to be one of New Zealand’s last highly decorated surviving veterans from World War II.
This week, Horton, who lives with his daughter Gail Hoddinott, was presented with a New Zealand Defence Service Medal by RNZAF Wing Commander
Graham Streatfield, the air attache at the Kiwi embassy in Washington DC.
The medal was created in 2011 to honour Kiwi Vietnam veterans, but that recognition has since been extended to any veteran since 1945 with at least three years of service. Horton also received letters of congratulations from RNZAF chief Air ViceMarshal Andrew Clark and US Air Force chief of staff General David Goldfein.
‘‘[Turning 100] seems to be exactly the same as yesterday or the day after,’’ Horton says. ‘‘I’m surprised I made it.’’
After being inspired to fly after a childhood flight in Charles Kingsford Smith’s famed ‘‘Southern Cross’’ in Masterton, Horton flew Bristol Blenheims and Douglas Boston bombers early in World War II before
becoming a Mosquito pilot with the legendary Pathfinders. In all, Horton flew 111 missions over Nazi-held Europe during WWII, including 84 as a Pathfinder.
The Wairarapa man served as a staff officer in the post-war RAF, commanding a Coastal Command squadron, before relocating to Washington DC where he served as a NATO air attache. Horton, whose beloved wife Beris died in 2011, has lived in the United States for more than 50 years now. ‘‘It’s the end of an era, really, but it’s been an interesting era,’’ Horton says, reflecting back on his 100 years.
‘‘From 1920 until now, a lot has changed in the world. It’s been a very interesting time to be alive. Some of it has been good, some of it has been bad. That’s typical of people, I suppose. With anything invented, some use it for good and some use it for bad.’’
Hoddinott and her brother Peter Horton have planned a celebratory lunch for their father, and will be hosting a number of friends for drinks afterwards.
‘‘I will have my trusty beer,’’ the guest of honour says.