Leslie Manning, one of the few remaining Australian WWII veterans who fought in the Battle of Crete, celebrated his 102nd birthday last week.
The Pancretan Association of Melbourne hosted a special mention to the veteran during the 20th anniversary of the Cretan radio show on Greek radio station 3XY.
Mr Manning was chuffed to celebrate his milestone with so many Cretan Australians, who presented him with a huge chocolate cake.
He found himself in Crete just before the German invasion in 1941, two years after he joined the 2/7th Battalion raised in Victoria.
One of the actions the battalion took part in during the Battle of Crete was the battle of 42nd Street near Chania, where Anzac troops fought to buy time for other Allied troops to be evacuated. Captured after the Allied surrender, Mr Manning ended up in Germany as a prisoner of war.
Along with his 102nd birthday, Les also celebrated his 62nd wedding anniversary with his wife Alma in January.