‘He’s an inspiration to us all’: D-Day veteran turns 100
A veteran of the Second World War D-Day landing just turned 100.
Shipmate Cyril Durban, founding member of the Royal Naval Association’s (RNA) Bromley Branch in Magpie Hill Lane, Bromley, recently celebrated his 100th birthday.
His daughter, Gillian Hotine, said: “Dad heard his close friends saying that because he had been an air cadet he would of course join the Royal Air Force.
“Because he never did what people expected him to, he joined the Royal Navy.”
Cyril joined HMS Ganges as a Boy Sailor in June 1942 moving on to serve in HMS Brilliant between June 1942 and February 1943 and then to HMS Primrose, a Flower Class Corvette, in October 1943 until June 1945. He was discharged in May 1946.
Ms Hotine said: “We feel very fortunate to still have such an active Dad, he has always kept himself fit and is extremely self-sufficient.
“The Navy set him up and taught him the routines he relies on today; he does his own shopping, cooking and ironing, every sock!
“He has such a positive attitude to life, he’s an inspiration to us all… Happy birthday Dad!”
Cyril also received a Legion D’Honneur for his services on D-Day, June 6, 1946, where Allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy in France to begin its liberation from Nazi occupation.
Steve Susans, chair of the Royal Naval Association’s Bromley Branch said: “We are absolutely thrilled to wish Cyril a very very happy birthday.
“As a founding member of our branch he has always been a cornerstone of what we do.”
Pictured top: Cyril Durban collecting during Remembrance, Cyril while he served (Credit: Gillian Hotine, Cyril Durban)