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War Hero, 91, Given Free Pints For Life After Going To Pub For 70 Years

War Hero, 91, Given Free Pints For Life After Going To Pub For 70 Years

Dennis Collins became a member of the club when he was just 21

Amelia Ward

Amelia Ward

A war hero has been given free drinks for the rest of his life - after being a member of an ex-servicemen's club for 70 years.

Dennis Collins, 91, joined the club in 1949 when he was just 21, making him the oldest living member. He even still has his original membership card, which cost him five shillings at the time.

The Penarth Ex-Servicemen's Club in Wales has now honoured his commitment to the pub, by giving him free drinks for the rest of his life. Dennis has even been given a specially produced card so that he can take advantage of his gift with ease.

Wales News Service

Dennis said: "I was 21 years old so I joined the club and it's been a second home ever since. You walk into a pub, and they're strangers. You walk into a club, and everybody knows you!"

Paul Galsworthy, chairman of the club, said: "Dennis would have drunk with many good people who founded the club nearly 100 years ago after the First World War.

"I am personally very pleased we can do this for Dennis as he is a lovely man and he deserves recognition, especially at times like these when social clubs are struggling. Everyone agreed - it was unanimous - that he should have free beer!

"The members have supported us over the years, because we've kept plugging away.

"Although the club has seen hard times, we are now doing really well, and we look forward to celebrating our Centenary next year."

Wales News Service
Wales News Service

The club, which was officially founded in 1921, will celebrate its one hundredth anniversary in 2021. It holds regular fundraising evenings as well as other events, and is well regarded in the local community.

Another war hero won a different kind of prize last year when he was reunited with his girlfriend - after 70 years apart.

A 98-year-old American soldier who fell in love with a young French woman during World War II has finally had the chance to see her again and told her he still loved her.

The scene took place in France on the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landing with French TV crews there to film the scene as the two embraced for the first time in three quarters of a century.

When he saw her, K.T. (Kara Troy) Robbins said: "I always loved you. You never got out of my heart."

Featured Image Credit: Wales News Service