New Zealand’s oldest man and former prisoner of war James “Jim” Easton has celebrated another lap around the sun, hitting the grand old age of 108 this week.

When asked what he enjoyed most about his Army service, Easton replied: “Trying to get out!”

Many of Easton’s friends suffered terrible nightmares, but he managed to develop a clever technique to prevent them.

“Whenever I felt one coming on I’d dream of nude women. That took it away immediately,” he told the Herald after his 106th birthday.

In 2022, Easton was believed to be the first New Zealander to receive a birthday card from two monarchs: one from King Charles III for his 106th, and one from Queen Elizabeth II for his 100th.