'Indomitable' D-Day veteran dies aged 100
BBCA D-Day veteran from Bath who recently celebrated his 100th birthday has died.
The funeral of Dennis Lanham took place on Thursday, surrounded by his family, as well as his friends from the Bristol Normandy Veterans Association.
He served with the 79th Armoured Division as a senior mechanic during World War Two, and was awarded France's National Order of the Legion of Honour in 2016.
Mr Lanham grew up in Bath, and after his years of service, moved back to the city to marry his wife Peggy. They remained together until she died in 2004.
Mr Lanham was also a published author, writing a memoir about his life, using the profits to help out childrens' and veterans charities.
Paul Turner, chairman of the Bristol Normandy Veterans, said: "He was dear to the hearts of the whole group... from the moment he joined, he was a joy.
"He was a man of great character and great strength and very proud of the fact he was responsible for converting tanks to what's known as 'crocodiles' - flamethrowers.
"He had many a tale to tell about his years in Normandy and entertained us on many an occasion."
Mr Turner added: "He would have celebrated the 80th anniversary [of D-Day] in style... a very proud Normandy veteran he was."
He also said the group's numbers are falling, going from being able to take two coach loads of veterans to commemorations in Normandy just 20 years ago, to having just three remaining in Bristol.
Denise Southern, the association's welfare officer, visited Dennis every week for three months before he died.
She added she used to visit him often a few years ago, saying he would cook her lunch and described him as a "whizz" with the air fryer.
Ms Southern added he would speak to school children about the importance of remembering the Second World War as a warning to avoid conflict in the future.
"He was remarkable... he was a stalwart. Nothing got him down," she said, adding he was "indomitable" and "knew his mind".
"We're very proud to have known him."
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