Australian war hero Lyall Ellers has turned 100 with no intention of slowing down any time soon

The South Australian flew fighter planes during World War II and says he plans to keep rolling on.

Lyall Ellers, who served for the Australia Air Force between 1941 and 1946, is turning 100. Picture: Emma Brasier

World War II veteran Lyall Ellers, the last living member of his Air Force squadron, celebrated his 100th birthday on Thursday.

Mr Ellers still holds a driver’s licence and plays lawn bowls every week.

He is celebrating the milestone birthday with family.

Mr Ellers joined the Air Force in 1941 in Perth before moving to New South Wales.

After completing his comprehensive training, Mr Ellers went on to fly in Squadron 4 in Papua New Guinea, and later Squadron 78, where he supported military forces by providing close air support, in 1942.

At 188cm tall, which was considered tall for a fighter pilot, he also flew in other squadrons and various planes, including Kittyhawks and CAC Boomerangs.

CAC Boomerangs were the first combat aircraft constructed and designed in Australia.

The rare aircraft, introduced in 1943, was mainly used for home-based squadrons to free up other fighters to go overseas.

Squadron 4, which Mr Ellers belonged to, flew Boomerangs while in Papua New Guinea as well as during the Borneo and Solomon Islands campaigns.

Mr Ellers’ fighter pilot days, which he said was a rewarding experience, came to an end when he moved back to Western Australia in 1945.

The war hero married Pat Ellers, who passed away in 2007, and had four children: Christine, Maria, Grant and Allen.

Mr Ellers said his four children all worked for the Royal Australian Air Force at some point in their careers.

Lyall, right, checking maps of Japanese positions in operational area, Ramu Valley in New Guinea. Picture: Supplied.

In 2022, Mr Ellers marched in the Anzac Day Dawn Service where he told The Advertiser he was the last living member of his Air Force Squadron.

“I think about all my mates that aren’t here,” he said.

“I don’t know of anyone left, my mates have all died. (I) came back to Perth and was sent to Geraldton (where I was) the commanding officer until I was discharged in 1946.”

Mr Ellers worked as a civilian in national insurance and moved to South Australia in 1954 to help support his brother who owned a car dealership.

Now a centenarian, he said he stayed fit by playing lawn bowls at Brighton RSL and Bowling Club every week.

“I’ll play until I get too old,” he said.

Mr Ellers said his age didn’t make much of a difference to him and he would continue to play until he couldn’t.

Lyell climbing into the cockpit of his CAC Boomerang during WWII. Picture: Supplied.

“It keeps me fit, you’ve just got to keep moving,” he said.

The former fighter pilot said he didn’t let his age bother him and continued to live life to the fullest.

“I don’t worry about it, I don’t think about it,” he said.

“As long as I stay alive, I’m quite happy.”

Rob Leonard, a member of the Brighton RSL and Bowling Club, said Mr Ellers was an inspiration for other members.

“He’s an example of a great person,” Mr Leonard said.

“He can just do it.

“I asked how he got to 100 and he said ‘it helps when you can get up every morning’.”

Mr Leonard said the 100-year-old was a cherished member of the club and still committed to the game of bowls.

“He likes to get things achieved,” he said.

“He still bowls pretty well … (and he’s) a good RSL member.”