A SECOND World War hero who served in the Normandy D-Day landings of 1944 was the centre of attention as family and friends celebrated his 100th birthday.

The centurion, commander Douglas Parish, is a father of four and was joined by 55 family guests including his daughter Alison Larkham and most of his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

They were joined by several uniformed officers from the Royal Naval Association, of which Douglas is a life member, at the Salisbury care home Braemar Lodge.

Douglas was presented with a framed birthday message from the First Sea Lord, General Sir Gwyn Jenkin, the professional head of the Royal Navy and its highest-ranking officer.

And despite being teetotal, Douglas was delighted to receive a keepsake bottle of Pussers Rum, the traditional rum of the Royal Navy for centuries.

Asked for any recommendations for living to a great age, Douglas said: “I really enjoy being the patriarch of such a large family. I love to see everyone together.

“I was particularly delighted to see the youngsters playing at the party and the remainder chatting with one another excitedly.”

There was a personal birthday message from the Admiral of the Fleet Air Arm hand delivered by Lt Noel Ennis and a framed picture of 820 Squadron, in which Douglas served, presented by Commander Andy Betts of HMS Seahawk.

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Douglas Parish receives 100th birthday greetings in a framed letter from the First Sea Lord, presented by Jackie Cash and Jon Everett Picture: Braemar Lodge

There were smiles all around as guests watched Douglas cut his birthday cake, baked by daughter Alison, using his naval sword.

Douglas joined the Royal Navy as an engineer and was a 19-year-old midshipman on D-Day, the biggest naval, air and land operation in military history.

He was off the Normandy coast on the cruiser HMS Mauritius below decks in the engine room while the ship was exchanging fire with enemy gun positions.

Luckily, torpedoes fired by German fast-attack E-boats, while coming close, ultimately missed their target.

Douglas has spoken of the unforgettable sight of thousands of allied vessels heading towards the French beaches to help begin the liberation of Europe.

“They were so close you felt you could almost step out and walk across them,” he said.

A wartime diary and the Légion d’honneur medal, awarded to veterans who helped liberate France, are among his treasured mementos of the time.

After the war, Douglas and his fiancée Betty married in 1947 and lived in various parts of the country before moving to Salisbury.

Betty was already in the British Red Cross when the Second World War broke out and volunteered for a civil defence first aid post, treating those caught in air raids during the Blitz.

After retiring from the navy in 1967, Douglas retrained as a technical college lecturer and took a post at the Aircraft Engineering Training Wing in Middle Wallop, where he worked for 17 years.

This was an ideal opportunity to share the skills he had gained in avionics engineering during his naval service.

Douglas was lay pastor at Porton Baptist Church for many years and has also had a long association with the Salisbury Sea cadets.

Betty, who was five years older than Douglas, passed away in 2017 at the age of 97.

Reflecting on her father’s centenary, Alison said: “At the age of 100, he’s not sitting back, he’s getting on with writing his life story.

“He keeps himself busy. He has an incredible brain, a very active mind.”

Present at the birthday celebration were two Braemar Lodge team members with service histories of their own: home manager Jackie Cash, who was in the Princess Mary Royal Air Force Nursing Service; and companionship team leader Graham Ballard, a former Staff Sergeant in the Royal Horse Artillery.

Jackie said: “It was a poignant occasion for both of us as ex-military people. We are very proud to know Douglas. I never thought I would ever be helping a D-Day veteran celebrate their 100th birthday. It’s extra special.”