NORTH Stradbroke Island RAAF veteran wireless operator Rex Kimlin has always known he was lucky.
The 91-year-old, who flew on Lancaster bombers over German in World War II, put his experiences down on paper in a book called How Lucky I Was.
The book documents the time he met King George V1 and his wife Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother on Christmas Day at the Victoria League Club in London in 1944 when he was 21.
The Queen Mother asked the young pilot how long he had been in England and if he had finished his operational tour.
"When I said I had been in England for about 18 months and had just finished my tour, she said something like 'On behalf of the King and I, I wish to thank you for your help'," Mr Kimlin said.
She also asked him if he had visited his relatives and when he said no, she replied "I am now giving you a royal command, go and visit them as soon as possible".
Mr Kimlin sent a copy of the book to Queen Elizabeth II and promptly received a reply from the Queen's Lady-in-waiting Richenda Elton.
"Her Majesty was very touched that you sent this publication for her to see and The Queen was glad to know of y0our memories of meeting her beloved mother and father at Christmas time in 1944," the Queen's letter said.
"Letters such as yours give Her Majesty much pleasure and I am to thank you, once again."
The rest of the book documents his role in the war and the harrowing times flying sortie missions over occupied territory.