Brian Walley survived a plane crash and a WWII prison camp to make it to 104

If the odds are anything to go by, West Australian war veteran Brian Walley should not be alive.

Eighty-five years ago, during a World War II raid over Germany, his bomber crashed into the North Sea.

He drifted for two days in freezing waters, watching all his fellow crew members succumb to exposure, before he was rescued and captured by German soldiers.

The then-19-year-old spent three years in a prison camp. He doubted he would see another birthday.

Yesterday, he turned 104 years old, celebrating the milestone with family who travelled from all over the world to his home in Margaret River, about 300 kilometres south of Perth.

Against the odds

Born in 1922 in Cheshire in the United Kingdom, he enlisted in the Royal Air Force a day before his 18th birthday.

He is one of the last surviving veterans of World War II, a conflict in which some 60 million people were killed.

Recalling his wartime ordeal, he said he was convinced he was going to die.

"We got shot down, got halfway home, landed in the middle of the North Sea in a howling gale," he said.

"Five people flapping in the water. Two of them got washed away, never saw them again … one died that night, and the next one died the next afternoon.

"[I had] nothing to eat, nothing to drink and was nearly, nearly dead."

The secret to a long life

Back from the war, he married Mair, his wife of 76 years, who has since died.

The couple emigrated to Australia in 1976, eventually settling in Margaret River after taking on several mining and exploration jobs throughout the state.

Asked to describe his greatest achievement, he does not hesitate.

"Getting married and having five children.

"Picking up my wife … and making sure she was Mrs Walley. From then, life was beautiful."

His secret to a long life was taking life day by day.

"After [the war], dying never worried me," the centenarian said.

"I just lived a day at a time. Some days are good, and other days are not so good.

"Every day is a bonus, and I'm still going."

Family first

His five children, two daughters and three sons, all joined in the birthday celebrations, travelling from as far away as South America for the big day.

Hugh Walley travelled from Leonora, more than 1,000km north, for the party.

He said his dad had always prioritised his family.

"Family has been important from when we were very small; we all had to treat each other well,"

he said.

Hugh Walley said his father taught his children to be comfortable with who they are, a trait he said he had inherited.

"[My dad is] honest, straight and someone to be admired," he said.

As for birthday celebrations, Brian Walley went with a dessert as classic as he is: chocolate cake.

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