Torquay WWII veteran Dirk van Teulingen turns 100

Former Navy engineer Dirk van Teulingen celebrated his 100th birthday after surviving 10 months in a German POW camp as a teenager during WWII.

Prisoner Of War Dirk van Teulingen, pictured with wife Linda, is turning 100 on July 8. Picture: Mark Wilson

A former Navy engineer who was held captive in a German prisoner of war camp as a teenager will mark his 100th birthday on Tuesday.

Dirk van Teulingen, of Torquay, was born in a small Dutch village on July 8, 1925 and celebrated a century of life on the weekend surrounded by his family and friends.

Mr van Teulingen always dreamt of becoming a marine engineer.

When he was 19 and working as an apprentice fitter and turner he was captured and taken to Germany as prisoner of war during World Wat II.

He was held there for 10 months until he was released.

Mr van Teulingen’s return to the Netherlands in 1945 was difficult, but he completed his apprenticeship and, only two months later, volunteered for the Royal Netherlands Navy where he served proudly as an engineer.

Dirk van Teulingen around the age of 30. Picture: Supplied

His time in the Navy took him to many parts of the world including Malta, Colombo, and Singapore.

He moved to Australia in 1950 and later met his wife Linda.

The couple recently celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary and together live a quiet life filled with family and a love for sport.

Mr van Teulingen is an Geelong Cats supporter, spending most of his days tuned into the sports channel.

His daughter Martine described him as a man of “quiet pride and strong work ethic”, reminiscing fondly on her childhood spent with her father.

“He enjoyed camping and being outdoors, we always went caravanning when we were kids, on holidays to the beach,” she said.

“I never knew him to take a sick day” she said.

Mr van Teulingen has three children, seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Originally published as Torquay WWII veteran Dirk van Teulingen turns 100