Tributes to Dennis on his 100th birthday

FAMILY AND FRIENDS GATHER ROUND TO WISH HIM WELL

- KATIE TIMMS

A PLYMOUTH man is celebrating a major milestone as he turns 100 today. Dennis Hooper, who was born in the city on December 5, 1924, has led a fascinating life.

He was born to May and Fred Hooper and was one of three boys.

Dennis attended Devonport High School for Boys, but during the Second World War, when he was 16, he was evacuated to Penzance.

One night the air raid sounded and as the captain of his house, he helped organise the boys into an air raid shelter. His accommodation was bombed and the air raid shelter was partially damaged too.

He then led the boys across fields to a nearby girls school, who were "delighted to welcome the boys" Dennis was then called up to join the British Army and underwent three months training.

He was able to return to school to finish his studies and then was posted to Singapore with the Army.

Dennis met and fell in love with Sheila, a receptionist at ENSA where he worked and they got married in January 1948.

When the war was over, he stayed working in Singapore for around 15 years. During this time, Dennis and Sheila had four children, Peter, Shirley, Geoffrey and Pamela.