RAYMOND Whitwell, who celebrated his 100th birthday in March, took to the skies in a glider during his visit to Holland with

the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans.

Mr Whitwell, of Malton, served in the Royal Army Service Corps 1st Airborne Division from 1939 until the end of the Second World War.

He was one of the 30,000 British and American troops involved in the Battle of Arnhem in 1944, one of the worst of the war.

Funded by the Taxi Charity, a company that arranges trips for military veterans from all conflicts, Mr Whitwell enjoyed a 15-minute flight with the Dutch Gliding Team.

Fiona Elliot was also on the trip and went up with the ashes of her father Ian Bonner, a glider pilot who was captured at Arnhem.

When the glider returned with Fiona, Mr Whitwell asked if he could take to the skies and the Dutch gliding team were only too happy to grant his wish.

The Taxi Charity offers international trips to Holland, Belgium and France, as well as day trips to catch up with friends and comrades.

To find out more about the charity or to donate visit the website

www.taxicharity.org.