A D-Day veteran despatch rider who celebrated his 100th birthday this week said one of his secrets to a long life is a daily tot of whisky.

Lewis Banham was born in Bacup and just three weeks before he was called up for National Service in 1942, he married his sweetheart Bessie in the Congregational Church off South Street, Bacup.

After landing on Gold Beach in Normandy on June 6, 1944, he travelled across Europe on ‘Old Faithful’ as he nicknamed his 500cc BSA M20 motorbike, delivering vital messages to the front line.

Lancashire Telegraph: Lewis Banham, celebrates his 100th birthdayLewis Banham, celebrates his 100th birthday (Image: Catherine Smyth Media)

This year his liberation journey was recreated by the Veterans Living History Museum in Blackburn, and Lewis and his son Greg were flown out to meet the team of riders who had ridden an identical bike at The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.

Lewis, who turned 100 on Thursday (November 3) said: “It was smashing and very nostalgic. It brought back so many memories.

“When I was finally demobbed in 1946, I got off the bus and was walking up South Street towards Tong Lane when I bumped into my dad.

“He put my kit bag over his shoulder and when I got to our house, he was very tactful and let me go in on my own to see Bessie. I miss her every day.”

After serving his country, he went to work for Bacup Shoe in the slipper works first at the Top Shop and then at Atherton Holme Mill.

For 40 years he worked the press cutting uppers and soles until a heart attack in 1986 led him to take early retirement.

The couple had one son Greg, two granddaughters, nine grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

Lewis also has nieces in Australia and his one wish would be to be able to travel there to see them.

Lewis and Bessie were married for 72 years until she passed away eight years ago.

He said: “It broke my heart when Bessie died, but what helped me was I went to Haslingden to Veterans In Communities and Claire Wright and Tracy Keir were there at the time.

"It helped me a lot and I would go in the art room and colour in, but I can’t hold the pencils now.

“I used to say that I wanted to live as long as Vera Lynn and she got to 103. I have carers come in twice a day and I have lots of friends.

“My son Greg takes me out and I can get my scooter in the back of the vehicle and we go lots of places.”

Veteran Bill Ogden takes Lewis to the Rossendale Armed Forces and Veterans’ Breakfast Club, the Trafford club in Manchester and sometimes to The Sandbag Café in Heywood. He also applied for liberation medals that Lewis proudly wears on his blazer.

Greg and his wife Shirley are planning a birthday celebration for Lewis at Bacup Cricket Club.