WWII Fighter Pilot to Redlegs Hall of Famer - Mr Mervyn Roberts Celebrates Centenarian Milestone

Happy 100th birthday to Resthaven Onkaparinga Community Services client, Mr Mervyn Roberts, who has lived a life of bravery, fame, and everything in between. Born on 30 December 1923, Mr Roberts grew up in Adelaide with his mother, father, and younger sister.

His schooling years saw him excelling in sport—a precursor to the career he would enjoy many years later.

Mr Roberts says, "I attended Norwood High School, where I was the captain of the football and cricket teams. I was also quite good at physics and mathematics, which served me well."

Finishing high school in 1940, Mr Roberts did what every fit young man was doing at the time—joining the services for the war effort of WWII.

"My choice was to join the Royal Australian Air Force [RAAF]."

"After flying training and a 12-month posting to West Sale in Victoria, I joined 75 Squadron who were, at the time, stationed on Noemfoor Island, New Guinea."

"During that time, we lost some pilots due to anti-aircraft fire and accidents. I was very lucky on a few occasions!"

At 22 years of age, the war came to an end and Mr Roberts was discharged with the rank of Flying Officer.

Back in Adelaide, he says, "I began working for the Commonwealth Bank, and I also started playing football for Norwood Football Club — the “Redlegs” — in the SANFL league."

"Eventually, I found the courage to ask my colleague, Pat, out on a date."

On 10 October 1953, the couple were married at St Columba’s Church, Hawthorn, and moved into a flat in Glenelg.

Throughout this time, Mr Roberts had played the 1946, 1948, and 1950 premierships for Norwood, represented South Australia in five games, was named in the 1951 Advertiser Team of the Year, and later earned a place on the Norwood Hall of Fame.

In 1956, at the end of the football season, Mr Roberts retired as one of the most respected backmen of his time.

That same year, he and Pat moved to Glengowrie, where they welcomed their daughter in 1957 and son in 1959.

In 1989, Mr and Mrs Roberts downsized to their home in Flagstaff Hill, where they continue to reside after 34 years.

A keen traveller, Mr Roberts says, "Pat and I purchased a campervan, and travelled around Australia, which was something we had always planned to do together."

"Our first overseas trip together was to Fiji, and we loved it so much that we went back two years later."

"From then on, it became a tradition that we would travel every two years, which we managed to do until recent years."

As Mr Roberts approaches his centenarian milestone, he reflects, "I have always been an avid reader, and I keep my mind active—that’s the key."

Now, Mr and Mrs Roberts lead a quieter lifestyle, with the weekly assistance of Resthaven Onkaparinga Community Services, while enjoying frequent visits from their two children, and four grandchildren.

Many happy returns, Mr Roberts!

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