Mr Carpenter OAM, who will turn 104 on April 22, was guest of honour at Wednesday's morning and afternoon events, which comprised a remembrance service, as well as a drama performance about his experiences serving "in every major theatre of war during World War II", in North Africa, the Middle East, Northern Greece, Crete, Darwin and Bougainville.

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"I thought it was immaculate," Mr Carpenter said of the performance subtitled A Man of Many Parts, which was planned for 2020 but postponed due to COVID-19.

"I think whoever trained them certainly knew what they were doing. They never missed a beat."

Mr Carpenter said he had shared his story with the student committee, but was surprised at the level of detail in the performance, that it focused solely on his life and that he was given a standing ovation when he joined the stage, which he said made him feel emotional.

"I'm elated - that's the word," he said.

"They did a wonderful job. It was marvellous."

St Mary's Catholic College Gateshead year 11 student Patrick Howlett said playing Mr Carpenter was "rewarding".

"I just wanted to do him justice," he said.

"He's so inspirational and so calm and humble about what he's done, he does not see it as a big deal.

"He just did what he had to do.

"That's a mentality I want to adopt for every facet of my life too."

Event director Michelle Gosper said the performance, which was filmed for a documentary, touched on only a few moments in his "dense and amazing life".

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