Lismore's only surviving World War II serviceman, Jack Donohue, turned 100 on the 6th of January. A milestone worthy of a story in the Lismore App.

Jack celebrated the day at the Lismore Workers Club.

"It was kept to a family reunion," Jack explained, "There were about 25 of us. It was lovely."

When asked what advice Jack had for others if they wanted to live to be 100, Jack replied, "I have no idea. I never thought I'd live to be a hundred."

Jack was born John Donohue in his South Lismore home on January 6 1925. Life was tough for the Donohues in Jack's younger years as the Great Depression gripped the nation from 1929.

Lismore's population was just under 10,000.

"There was nothing in Lismore in those days. We didn't have enough money to go to the CBD. We bought all our groceries at Mewings."

Jack joined the Royal Australian Air Force in Lismore on the 2nd of March 1943 as a Leading Aircraftman. That was two days after his 18th birthday.

(131484 AC JOHN (JACK) DONOHUE ON ENLISTMENT IN THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE 2 MARCH 1943. Photo: supplied)

In his Record of Service document, Jack’s movement around Australia was quite extensive.

His documents show that at the time of enlistment, he was a member of The  RAAF Air Training Corps. Jack's training was in Sydney.

After recruit training he was then posted to No. 3 Aircraft Depot at Amberley, Qld, on 4 April. After three months at Amberley, he was sent to No. 3 School of Technical Training at Altimo in Sydney, where he undertook a course as a Vulcaniser. He graduated from this course with a Distinguished (Distinction) pass.

Following graduation, he was posted to No. 2 Aircraft Depot at Richmond, NSW, where he worked until the 3rd of August, when he was sent to No. 14 Repair and Salvage unit. He remained at 14 RSU at various locations until 4th of January 1945 when he went to No. 1 Reserve Personnel Pool before being posted overseas on the 4th of March.

Jack went to Biak in West Papua for more training before being sent to Morotai in Indonesia and Labuan in Borneo.

(All Jack’s postings outside Australia were with No. 5 Airfield Construction Squadron. Photo: supplied)

Jack was trained as a vulcaniser, so he specialised in RAF aeroplane tyres during his time in the war.

(Jack with his mate Gordon Davey from 2 ACS at Morotai Island 1945. Photo: supplied)

(Jack Donohue's war medals. L to R: The 1939-45 Star; The Pacific Star; The War Medal 1939-45; The Australian Service Medal 1939-45; The Australian Service Medal 1945-75. Photo: supplied)

When Jack returned to Lismore after the war he worked at the Pratten car dealership for nearly 30 years before running the South Lismore Post Office until he retired at 65.

He was married to Irene for 45 years (Irene passed away in 1997), and has two children.

Jack doesn't walk in the ANZAC Day march up Molesworth Street anymore, but he does participate with his good mate, Dr Graeme Nicholson, helping him attend the service. Jack also attends Remembrance Day.