A D-DAY veteran from Wirral is 100 years old today.
John Dennett, from Wallasey, will celebrate his milestone with a private party at Fort Perch Rock on Wednesday (July 24), featuring wartime music, food and entertainment.
Looking forward to becoming a centenarian, a reflective John joked with the Globe earlier this week: "It’s a funny feeling - all I hope is I reach 200!
"It's only now that I've reached 100 that I realise I'm that old. I will just have to take it easy now."
Mr Dennett, a gunner in the Royal Navy, was on a landing craft carrying tanks and lorries that landed on Sword Beach on D-Day - June 6, 1944.
It was part of 'Operation Overlord' described by the Imperial War Museum (IWM) as "the largest amphibious invasion in the history of warfare."
The landings marked the start of a long and costly campaign in north-west Europe, which ultimately convinced the German high command that defeat was inevitable.
John Dennett unveiled D-Day commemoration blue plaque at Fort Perch Rock in New Brighton on May 30 watched by nephew Tony Franks-Buckley and Dane Brookes, owner of The Mess cafe at Fort Perch Rock (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest) He also took part in beach landings during Operation Torch in north Africa, and in Sicily, Salerno and Anzio in Italy.
He recently had the honour of speaking at Bayeux cemetery in front of 5,000 people on June 6 when he delivered the exhortation in Normandy during events recent D-Day 80th anniversary commemorations, which saw hm return to Normandy for the first time since the pandemic.
Looking back on the anniversary events Mr Dennett told the Globe recently: "It was exceptional, the trip of a lifetime. Everything went according to plan, all the services went to plan.
"I also met the King and Queen again - we're on first name terms now! I really enjoyed meeting them.
"I enjoyed my time out there so much, the memories will remain with me for the rest of my life. It was very moving. I had to say a few words at Bayeux.
"I said the line that went 'For your tomorrow, we gave our today'.
"It was a chance to commemorate. There was one veteran who was 103 who was acting a lot younger. It really gave me hope."
After distinguished service in the Royal Navy, in 1949 he founded the Ashville youth football club which is still thriving today under his chairmanship and guidance.
Today, the club tweeted a special message of celebration for Mr Dennett's 100th birthday.
𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐚𝐲!
— Ashville Football Club (@AshvilleFC) July 23, 2024
Everyone at Ashville Football Club would like to wish our beloved founder and club president, John Dennett, a very happy 100th birthday!
We all hope you have the most marvellous day!
Here is John pictured with his telegram from the king pic.twitter.com/P3pJSVgr9v
John Dennett after unveiling D-Day commemoration blue plaque at Fort Perch Rock in New Brighton on May 30 (Image: Dane Brookes / The Mess, Fort Perch Rock) He told the Globe: "The club has helped me get through so much in my life, it kept me going when my wife died. The people running it are doing a great job."
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.
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.
Nephew Tony is a historian and author who runs history tours and talks on the Second World War.
Wishing his uncle John a happy birthday, Tony told the Globe: "It’s an amazing achievement to reach such an age and thankfully he has done it.
"Uncle John had a stroke three years ago, so it was a testing time. Thankfully we had good friends and close family members to help get back on his feet.
"So not only is it a celebration of uncle John's 100th, it’s a special thanks to those that have helped get him there; Elaine Gilly, Ellie and Allan who have been the main carers with myself.
"Then I would like to thank Derek and Maxine Franks for the travel, haircuts, and hospital appointments and Lynn, Ray, Peter, Skillo, Gemma, Philly and Harry at Ashville Football Club for keeping an eye on him.
"That's the team that's kept Uncle John going to reach his 100th and I thank them with great gratitude. It's a celebration for you all too.
"Uncle John has asked for donations to be made to his two charities of choose rather than presents. He said there is nothing he needs.
"The two charities are Spirit of Normandy Trust https://spiritofnormandy.org.uk and RNLI New Brighton ".
A very happy birthday John, from all at the Wirral Globe.
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