D-Day heroes both celebrate 100th birthdays in same month and in same nursing home
Two D-Day veterans have celebrated their 100th birthdays this month - in the same nursing home they both live in.
Former airborne soldier Peter Belcher and ex-RAF mechanic David Teacher reached the centenarian milestone on 9 and 29 December respectively.
Both men live at Broughton House Veteran Care Village in Salford, Greater Manchester, where they received the traditional 100th birthday greeting from the King.
Mr Belcher celebrated his birthday party with his relatives, other residents and guests including Blackley and Broughton MP Graham Stringer and Mayor Gina Reynolds.
He was an airborne soldier in 4th Battalion Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, going on serve for 12 years in uniform across 17 countries, and receiving six medals.
During the Normandy landings, he was part of the glider force that took part in Operation Deadstick - the capture of Pegasus Bridge.
David Teacher joined the RAF at the age of 18 and served until 1945. After landing on Juno Beach on D-Day his job was to repair vehicles.
During the operation, he spent three months in a beach trench, and his unit went on to take part in the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium.
He was involved in relieving US troops besieged in Bastogne in December 1944.
During Mr Belcher's birthday celebration, Broughton House trustee Peter Curtis said: "When one thinks of dramatic actions and incidents throughout the Second World War, there are not many that surpass the extraordinary operation to capture Pegasus Bridge.
"We owe Peter and all of his comrades so much."
For Mr Teacher's birthday, Karen Miller, the chief executive of Broughton House, said: "It is my absolute privilege to be giving David heartfelt birthday wishes from the whole team at Broughton House as he becomes a centenarian.
"David really is an inspiration to us all.
"Having served his country so courageously during the war, David has continued to dedicate his life to serve others, not only through his charitable work but also by sharing with the younger generation the values of friendship, duty and service."
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