A Shandon-based Royal Navy veteran has said he was “flattered” to be surrounded by friends, family, and serving personnel as he celebrated his 100th birthday.
Dennis ‘Spike’ Jones marked the special occasion with a party on Thursday, June 13 at Ardarden Estate which was hosted by armed forces charity SSAFA and sponsored by the venue.
Spike was born on Saturday, June 8 in Bristol and started his navy career in 1941 when he was just 17 years old and retired in 1972 after serving for over 30 years.
Members of the Garelochhead Station Trust, military personnel, and representatives from SSAFA attended the party alongside Spike’s family and friends.
He said: “I’m flattered that everyone came to the party and honoured what I achieved in my service.
“The key to getting on is that every day you just do the job, and you get on with it. You pick up the penny once a month.”
Spike’s career in the Royal Navy saw him progress through the ranks to become a Lieutenant Commander.
He achieved nine medals including the Pacific Star for his work during World War Two.
After his career in the navy, Spike went on to achieve a Bachelor of Arts degree and became a quality assurance manager at the HMS Naval Base Clyde in Faslane.
Spike and his late wife Eve married in 1946 and had one daughter, Diane, who lives in St Louis, Missouri.
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