D-Day Veteran on his three-word secret to 100 years of happiness

10 March 2024 , 19:54

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Dennis Lanham's nickname is Smiler

A D-Day veteran has celebrated his 100th birthday ahead of the 80th anniversary of the invasion.

Dennis Lanham served as a senior mechanic with the 79th Armoured Division in the Second World War.

As part of the preparation for the allied invasion of occupied Europe, Dennis was responsible for maintaining a squadron of Churchill tanks fitted with flame throwers.

He is known as Smiler at his care home in Bath, Somerset, and said “everything in moderation” is his secret to a long life. He said: “I am so grateful to be 100. I do like to live cheek by jowl.”

Dennis was given a special birthday tie by members of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. He was awarded France’s National Order of the Legion of Honour in 2016.

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Dennis during the war

Dennis joined the Home Guard at the age of 17. The flame thrower tanks he later worked on were known as Crocodiles. They played a vital role in the success of the Battle of Normandy and the liberation of France. The Crocodiles were so feared by enemy soldiers that, according to Dennis, a decree was issued that men captured from his division were to be immediately shot.

He said he was “proud” when Hitler issued a decree to shoot anyone wearing a bull’s head badge – which is what he wore as part of the REME. He said he continued to wear his badge anyway, as removing it would “give the game away”. He added: “I think we done marvellous.”

One of the specialised tanks of the 79th Armoured, known as Hobart's Funnies (Mirropix)

At the end of the war, Dennis was stationed in the divided city of Berlin and became an instructor at the Rhine Army training college.

He was demobilised in 1947 and returned to Bath to marry Peggie, his wife for 57 years until her 2004 death. Dennis became a published author aged 99 after writing From 9 to 99, about things that happened in his life. It was published by Project 71, a support group for war veterans.

When asked how it feels to be 100, Dennis said he did not know. He added: “I have a few heart problems, but I’m being well looked after.”

The 80th anniversary of the 1944 D-Day landings at Normandy will be commemorated on June 6.

Dan Warburton