KEEPING active and having a positive mind-set – that’s the secret to making it to 100, according to a Second World War veteran.
Dennis Hill started his centenary celebrations with a coffee morning at Shirley Royal British Legion (RBL) – where he has been a member for a number of years – with friends, the branch chairman and committee members and the Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Annette Mackenzie.
He then marked the occasion revisiting memories and telling stories with family, friends and neighbours at Old Sihillians Rugby Club.
He rounded off the celebrations on his actual birthday (March 9) with new friends and staff at Knowle Gate Care Home where he has recently moved to.
He said: “Keeping active and having a positive mind-set as well as having good genes and not drinking or smoking” is his secret to making it to his milestone birthday.
Dennis was born in Dennistoun near Glasgow in 1926 but the family moved to Dalham, in Suffolk, soon after he was born.
He went to Ousden School and spent his childhood in villages close to Bury St Edmunds.
Shortly before war broke out he has completed an apprenticeship in agricultural engineering and was prevented from joining the RAF as he was deemed to be in a vital reserved occupation.
He was eventually allowed to join the services and signed on to the Army, The Queens Bays Regiment, where he was trained as a first class tank mechanic.
His role was to maintain the regiments Comet tanks as they prepared for battle.
He remained with the Queens Bays for 12 years as a Sergeant where he continued to maintain, repair and recover the Regiments mechanical equipment
After leaving the army he moved to Birmingham and took a job in the Motor Transport Section of Birmingham Airport where he later became manager of the team. The section were responsible for the maintenance of all of the Airport vehicles, snow clearance equipment and Fire Engines.
He retired in 1987 following 37 years of service.
He married Joan, his childhood sweetheart from Bury St Edmunds in 1946 and they received numerous cards from Queen Elizabeth and latterly from King Charles and Camilla.
They had a daughter, Susan and a son, Peter.
He also has four grandchildren and one great-grandson.
Ken Russell, Shirley RBL branch chairman, said: “Turning 100 is incredibly rare – it deserves to be ceebrated properly.
“For many veterans. moments like this are deeply emotional. An RBL hosted celebration lets them feel valued, appreciated , and surrounded by respect.”
