To commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the RAF, Narberth Museum has put on display items from its collection that cover the whole period.

All have been donated by local families and relate to five servicemen in particular.

Donald Walter John was born in Narberth in 1898.

Donald joined the School of Military Aeronautics in Reading in 1917.

He passed third in his year - no mean achievement for a boy who had left Narberth County Intermediate School at the age of 15 - and his pilot’s Flying Log Book begins in April 1918, the month the RAF was founded. His first solo flight, in a GW 304, was in May. He later flew Avros and Camels. The final entry is for August 1918.

In addition to his uniform and his log book, visitors can also see other early records of his time.

His son, Noel John, did his National Service in the RAF and photographs of his time in Egypt during the Suez Crisis can also be seen.

Alongside these is the uniform of John Eric Tipton. John who died earlier this year, donated his uniform to Narberth Museum and it stands as a record of his illustrious service in WWII.

His flying career began when he completed his Air Navigation Course in 1940/41 He flew several operations over Europe before his squadron was sent to Malta to reinforce the mission to prevent aircraft or ships reaching German land forces.

Later, in one of only two Objective Bombing of Enemy squadrons in the Pathfinder Force, John and his Australian pilot flew over 100 operations for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He reached the rank of Wing Commander before retiring in the mid-sixties.

Just this week, the family of Flt Lt Jed Lewis donated a wealth of material documenting his career during WWII. Volunteers are currently cataloguing it ready to be included in the display.

Bringing the display right up to the present day are framed images and other material loaned by the museum treasurer, Elaine Lidgate. Her son is Wing Commander Gary Partridge, whose love of flying was kindled by his involvement with Whitland Air Cadets. He saw action in the Iraq War.

The items will be on display throughout April and the Museum welcomes visitors to come and learn more about the history of the RAF and share their own stories. Admission is included in standard museum charges. Ring Narberth Museum on (01834) 860500 for more details.