D-Day Veteran Celebrates 100th Birthday At Our Salisbury Care Home
A Royal Navy veteran who took part in the D-Day landings in 1944 has celebrated his 100th birthday at our Salisbury home, Braemar Lodge.
Commander Douglas Parish, who has lived with us for more than two years, was the centre of attention during a centenary weekend attended by 55 family members, including his daughter Alison, along with most of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
They were joined by uniformed officers from the Royal Naval Association, of which Douglas is a life member. Guests watched as he cut his birthday cake – baked by daughter Alison – using his naval sword.
Douglas was also presented with a framed birthday message from the First Sea Lord, General Sir Gwyn Jenkin, and a keepsake bottle of Pussers Rum, the traditional rum of the Royal Navy. A personal message from the Admiral of the Fleet Air Arm was hand-delivered by Lt Noel Ennis, and Commander Andy Betts of HMS Seahawk presented a framed picture of 820 Squadron, in which Douglas once served.
Douglas joined the Royal Navy as an engineer and was just 19 on D-Day, serving below decks on the cruiser HMS Mauritius while it exchanged fire with German gun positions off Normandy. He recalls the unforgettable sight of thousands of Allied ships heading towards the French coast. Among his most prized possessions are his wartime diary and the Légion d’honneur medal, awarded to veterans who helped liberate France.
After the war, Douglas married his fiancée Betty in 1947. Following his retirement from the navy in 1967, he retrained as a lecturer and taught avionics engineering at the Aircraft Engineering Training Wing in Middle Wallop for 17 years. He also served as lay pastor at Porton Baptist Church and was closely involved with Salisbury Sea Cadets. Betty, who volunteered with the British Red Cross during the Blitz, passed away in 2017 at the age of 97.
Reflecting on her father’s milestone, 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.”
Home Manager, Jackie, and Companionship Team Leader, Graham – both ex-forces themselves – were especially proud to be part of the occasion. 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.”
Asked for his own reflections on reaching 100, Douglas added: “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.”