A WIRRAL D-Day veteran was guest of honour at the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Second World War's 'most significant' campaign.
John Dennett, 99, from Wallasey was joined by friends and family for the event in a marquee on top of Fort Perch Rock in New Brighton on Thursday night.
It was organised by nephew Tony Franks-Buckley and Dane Brookes, owner of The Mess café, which is located at Fort Perch Rock.
On being asked to unveil the plaque at Fort Perch Rock John Dennett, who turns 100 on July 24, told the Globe: "It was a real honour. I am looking forward to going back to Normandy to see this new memorial that has been built in memory of those who lost their lives.
"I'm going over with The Spirit of Normandy Association, which I've been a member of for quite a long time. It's always a very emotional visit.
"The last time I went was before Covid, so I couldn't go while the pandemic was on because of all the restrictions.
"I'm glad I am and am looking forward to it.
"80 years is a long time, but I still remember what happened on D-Day and stop and think about it a lot."
Members of the audience joined in with As Time Goes By and The White Cliffs of Dover.
There was also a selection of war-time themed food on the menu, including corned beef hash, a Churchill Burger, French Resistance Fries and a G I Hot Dog.
John lied about his age in order to join the Navy at the age of 17 in March 1942.
He was on a landing craft carrying tanks and lorries that landed on Sword Beach on D-Day.
He also took part in beach landings during Operation Torch in north Africa, and in Sicily, Salerno and Anzio in Italy.
After distinguished service as a gunner in the Royal Navy, in 1949 he founded the Ashville youth football club which is still thriving today under his chairmanship and guidance.
Since retiring he has devoted much of his free time to support veteran causes. He fundraises for the annual Poppy Appeal and was a founder member of the Royal British Legion City of Liverpool Branch.
He has worked for the Italy Star Association for decades, and became its President in 2019.
As well as representing the Association, he shares his knowledge by speaking with people and writing articles for their magazine so that the younger generations can learn about his experiences when he served his country.
In November 2019, he took part in the Royal British Legion's Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, in a feature about Monte Cassino and Kohima. He has also represented the Association at events hosted by the Not Forgotten Association, both in the Northwest and in London.
He still enjoys returning to Normandy and gives talks to local school children near his home.
He was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in 2022 for voluntary service to Veterans.
His nephew, Tony, is a historian and author who runs history tours and talks on the Second World War.
Paying tribute to his uncle before Thursday's ceremony began, Tony told the Globe: "Uncle John is a great inspiration to me. We're off to Normandy for ten days which is why the blue plaque unveiling at Fort Perch Rock was brought forward to May 30. It's to commemorate the fallen of Normandy and the impact D-Day had.
"Everything you read in books or see on TV about D-Day is nothing until you get over to Normandy and are there.
"It's an unbelievable thing; I've been back several times and get goosebumps every time, even just talking about it.
"It's an inspirational place for everyone who fought for the freedom we have today."
He continued: "Uncle John was very lucky; the horrors of war that he did see was seeing his friends dying.
"At first it wasn't a realisation to him, until he looked in the water and he'd see bodies floating in the water where ships had gone down. That was where his horrors began. Before that he didn't really think about it.
"He joined the Navy, purely because it was a better wage and he got to see the world.
"He was a young lad when he saw dead bodies in the water and that's when it hit home what was really happening.
"He was an AA gunner, more shooting up and into the air, never really looking into the water.
"He will never call himself a hero. He will tell you that the only heroes are those who perished and who fell in battle.
"He's very good at brushing the experiences off and has always been a busy man.
"He has been given the honour of speaking at Bayeux cemetery in front of 5,000 people on the opening day and will be saying the exhortation.
"It's a daunting experience, but he's looking forward to it.
"He's a giant of a man."
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