D-Day hero Don Turrell raises a glass to toast his 100th birthday – after fearing he would never see the war out.
The wheelchair-bound warrior celebrated his landmark with his favourite gin and tonic tipple and a monster birthday cake.
In June 1944 braveheart Don was a Corporal with The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) when he sailed across the Channel as part of the liberating Allied armada.
On Saturday he was the centre of attention at a celebratory shindig at his home in Frinton-on-Sea, Essex, where he received birthday best wishes from the King.
Don lost his older brother Leslie, a telegraphist on HMS Penelope, who died when she was sunk off Naples in February 1944, and saw his chums die during a bloody battle after the D-Day invasion.
He said: “We could see the cliffs at Dover disappearing and I said, ‘I wonder how many of us are going to come back?’
“I go back to remember my friends and lay ghosts to rest, but they won’t ever go. Memories go to the back of my min d, but at times I am back there with them all.
“Every year that I’m able to return I count it as a blessing. It’s been 81 years, but I can still remember the noise, the chaos, the smell and the destruction.”
Incredibly, Don was born when Stanley Baldwin was prime minister, and in a year when a pint of beer cost 5 pence, a pint of milk was 3 pence, and one pound of beef was 5.5 pence. The average weekly wage for a man was £5.
Earlier this month London-born Don returned to Normandy with the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans and Daily Express to visit the final resting place of close pals Rifleman William Carr, 19, and Lance Sergeant Robert Bremner, 29, who were killed on June 26, 1944.
Don’s chums died from mortar fire during the battle for Hill 112, part of Operation Jupiter which was one of the most decisive battles of the Second World War.
After 10 ten weeks of fierce fighting and the loss of 10,000 men, the Allies eventually seized control of one of the most important battlegrounds in northern France, allowing them to retake Caen and continue the liberation of Europe. Don was seriously injured during the same assault in which his pals perished.
He said: “I feel close to them. I speak their names aloud. I haven’t forgotten them and I never will.”
On Saturday Don gave a thumbs up as he was joined by daughter Lin Baker, son Andrew, and family and friends, for his summer soiree.
Colin Mills, Chairman of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, said: “On behalf of everyone at the charity I want to wish our great friend and cherished veteran Don a very happy 100th birthday.
“Don is not only an inspiration for his service and dedication to remembrance, but also for the joy, humour and mischief he brings to every trip, often with a gin and tonic in hand.
“Whenever we’re in Normandy or the Netherlands, Don’s stories and spirit remind us all why we do what we do. It’s a real privilege to help him celebrate this incredible milestone.”