TWO RAF veterans who served in the Second World War have launched a specially-named train service from Holyhead Station on Anglesey.

A Virgin Train has been named "Royal Air Force Centenary 1918 – 2018" to commemorate the RAF's centenary and its historic links with the railway in North Wales.

The nameplate, which carries the station crest of Anglesey's RAF Valley base, was unveiled at a ceremony by Mary Roberts and Wing Commander John Wynne on Wednesday.

Mary, who turned 100 in May, served as a nurse. Her role saw her based at RAF Hemswell, working with the flying crews of the bombers that flew over Europe. She was also posted to Flying Training Command at Penrhos, Pwllheli. John Wynne, from Gwynedd, was a pilot and flying instructor who flew Wellington bombers, Fortress and Mosquito aircraft and the Valiant jet bomber throughout his career.

Mary Roberts, from Rhosneigr, said: "I am thrilled to have been invited to take part in this special occasion during the RAF's Centenary year. God Bless the train and all who travel in her."

Wing Commander John Wynne DFC, aged 97, said: "I'm delighted to be supporting this RAF centenary event with Virgin Trains, which is about service and connecting people.

"This splendid 'Royal Air Force Centenary' train, is a vital transport link and provide us with a living reminder of the great service of the RAF to our nation and its shared history with Wales for the past 100 years."

Air Commodore Williams, RAF's Air Officer Wales, said: "The RAF are very grateful to Virgin Trains for naming one of their engines after the RAF Centenary. We know that having an engine named after you is a rare and special thing."

The train's route from London Euston to Holyhead goes directly past RAF Valley in Anglesey, where RAF's fighter pilots are trained.

Gaynor Stewart, general manager at Virgin Trains, added: "We're proud to be playing our part in celebrating one hundred years of the Royal Air Force and its personnel – past and present. The nameplate was unveiled on Virgin Trains' Super Voyager 221114. The Class 221 train will serve the North Wales and other destinations.

The railway's connections with the RAF go back to the early days of the Air Force with Locomotive No. 6 Douglas – a steam loco, built in 1918, for Air Service Construction Corps and used by the RAF until 1946. It is now at the Talyllyn Railway.