Kenneth MacNaughton ran the gauntlet of German U-boats and the Luftwaffe during the Second World War - but lived to tell the tale and reach his 100th birthday.

The Royal Navy veteran from Harrow always remembered his brothers-in-arms who never made it.

But Kenneth, who enlisted in 1942 as soon as he turned 18, never managed to get to the Cenotaph for the annual Remembrance march — until this year.

He gave a special thanks this week to the Royal Naval Association for helping him to take part in the service and march in Whitehall on Remembrance Sunday.

Able Seaman MacNaughton served on the perilous Arctic convoys taking supplies to Russia. The ships faced attacks from U-boats and air raids  targeting Allied shipping from Nazi-occupied Norway.

“The Arctic sea was often incredibly rough,” he recalls. “Many of us suffered severe sea sickness.

“I always made sure I found some bread to help stop me from being sick.”

Ken added: “But the best bit about being in the Royal Navy was the tot of rum!”

The Arctic convoys were particularly gruelling, with freezing conditions and scant provisions. Ken accepts he was one of the lucky ones to make it back safely.

Everyone with a naval story is brought together by the Royal Naval Association, which fosters comradeship, particularly at this time of year.

It helps Second World War veterans like Ken to “realise their dream” of taking part in the Remembrance Sunday march down Whitehall.

The association’s chief executive Bill Oliphant said: “We were proud to enable these veterans to march with us this year. The ‘Poppy’ cabs volunteered to help transport them and were particularly accommodating to our veterans.”

Kenneth has been given lifetime membership of the association and intends to return to the Cenotaph next year with their help — when he’s 101.

The association is the largest association for serving and former members of Britain’s naval forces and their families, with 240 branches in the UK and around the world.

Its members are supported “through the peaks and troughs of life’s voyage”. Their motto: “Once Navy, Always Navy.”