Skip to content

RAF veteran to receive freedom of city at age of 99

Barry O'ConnorBBC News NI
News imageBBC A man looking at the camera, he is wearing a beret, glasses and a suit with bow tieBBC
Thomas Doherty was a driver in the mechanical transport section of the RAF, where he rose to the rank of Cpl and was based in Singapore in the 1940s

A 99-year-old RAF veteran is to receive the freedom of his home city.

Thomas Doherty was a driver in the mechanical transport section of the RAF, where he rose to the rank of corporal and was based in Singapore at the end of World War Two.

The tradition of bestowing the freedom of a city is the highest civic honour that can be awarded by a council.

Doherty is being recognised for a lifetime of service – from his contribution to the armed forces, to his continued dedication to his community and charitable causes, the council said.

Speaking ahead of the event at Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, Doherty said he was "truly honoured and very humbled".

"I never expected anything like this, and I am very grateful to the council for this recognition," he said.

"I have always tried to do my bit, whether through my time in the RAF, supporting local charities or being involved in the community.

"Lisburn and Castlereagh has been my home for many years, and it means a great deal to be recognised in this way.

"This is a very proud moment for me and my family."

News imageTommy Doherty Tommy Doherty is on the right of the image taken in the 1940s, with his wife to the left. They are both smiling in the black and white photo. She is holding a bay, and is wearing a patterned dress and with dark hair. Tommy is in military uniform, and has his arm around her. The baby appears to be asleep and is wrapped in a light coloured blanket.Tommy Doherty
He moved back to Northern Ireland after completing his service in the RAF and settled with his family in Castlereagh before moving to Lisburn in the 1980s

Speaking in advance of the formal ceremony, Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council Alderman Amanda Grehan said it was a "true privilege" to honour Doherty.

She said his life was one of "extraordinary service, resilience and generosity".

Grehan added that Doherty represented the very best of Lisburn and Castlereagh.

"Even at 99 years of age, Tommy continues to inspire us all with his kindness and commitment to helping others," she said.

"His fundraising efforts and his active role in community life are a testament to his character.

"We are incredibly proud to recognise his achievements with this most prestigious honour.

Who is Thomas Doherty?

Doherty was born in January 1927 and grew up in east Belfast.

He was the seventh of 10 children and three of his brothers also served in the British armed forces.

During World War Two, Doherty's childhood home in was damaged in the Belfast Blitz.

After joining the Army Cadets, he subsequently enlisted in the RAF and in addition to standard military training, he completed special training in maintenance and vehicle operation while based in Northern Ireland and England.

In the 1940s he was stationed in the then British colony of Singapore in Asia, which took over two weeks on the troopship Dilwara.

He moved back to Northern Ireland after completing his service in the RAF and settled with his family in Castlereagh before moving to Lisburn in the 1980s.

His wife, Edna, died in 2025 after almost 80 years of marriage, where they had three children.