Bob, who lives at Evanston Park in Gawler, said family members had flown from England and Queensland to celebrate.

“I haven’t seen my son Ken for 10 years because he lives in the United Kingdom so it has been wonderful to have my children together to celebrate,” said Bob.

Bob received many cards from family and friends in time for his birthday as well as congratulatory messages from South Australian Premier Steven Marshall, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Bob was lost for words when he opened Queen Elizabeth’s card.

“I was born in Portsmouth in southern England and I served in the British Armed Forces for ten years as a member of the Royal Air Force,” said Bob.

“During World War II, I was assigned to look after the aircraft and strap the pilots into the single seater planes.

“I remember kicking a soccer ball on the tarmac with the rest of the ground crew waiting for the pilots to come back.”

Bob said his secret to living a long life was developing a routine and ‘taking each day as it comes’.

“I always try to take advantage of opportunities and I don’t waste any time,” said Bob.

“I’m very happy with how I’m going now and I appreciate my life and my health a lot more compared to when I was younger.”

Eldercare Evanston Park Lifestyle Coordinator Lee-Anne Chenoweth said Bob is a resilient man and he does ‘everything he can’ to live his best life.

“Bob stimulates his mind by reading every day, stays active by walking daily and he regularly connects with family and friends,” said Lee-Anne.

“Bob always makes sure he has a voice – he’s a great example of ageing well.”

Image: Bob Rowe with his card from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.