97 not out is a pretty good innings and one Mr James Page of Raymond Terrace is proud to have reached.

Mr Page was honoured this week for his 50 year membership of the NSW RSL.

Mr Page served with the Royal Navy on the battleship HMS KING GEORGE V during World War II.

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He subsequently moved from the UK to Australia and joined the Royal Australian Navy.

In 1956, Mr Page settled in Raymond Terrace where he has contributed to our community and the RSL for more than half a century.

At 97 years of age, Mr Page is the oldest member of the Raymond Terrace RSL sub-branch and one of the few remaining WWII veterans in our community.

This week he received a standing ovation at the sub-branch’s annual luncheon held in anticipation of ANZAC Day.
Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington said, “On behalf of the people of Port Stephens, I was honoured to present Mr James Page with his 50 years of membership with RSL NSW.”

HMS King George V had a vital role in WWII.

The vessel was the lead ship of the five British King George V-class battleships of the Royal Navy.

HMS King George V operated in all three major theatres of WWII, the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Pacific.

Perhaps most notably in May 1941, King George V was involved in the hunt for and pursuit of the Bismark, eventually inflicting severe damage which led to the German vessel’s sinking.

HMS King George V also took part in Operation Husky in Sicily.

In 1945 HMS King George V took part in operations against the Japanese in the Pacific.

Later the HMS King George V was made flagship of the British Home Fleet and went on to become a training battleship.

Vic Jones of the Raymond Terrace RSL sub-branch told News Of The Area, “James was on board the HMS King George V for the surrender of Japan ending the war in the Pacific”.

By Marian SAMPSON