D-Day hero Bill Millward is showered with birthday messages as he turns 104

The Ashbourne legend says he was touched by the dozens of well-wishers

Dozens of people have passed on birthday messages to Ashbourne legend Bill Milward, as he celebrated turning 104.

The D-Day veteran, who turned up the Ashbourne Royal Shrovetide ball on his 100th birthday, celebrated his big day on Monday and has since been showered with gifts and greetings.

On Tuesday he paid a visit to Hilltop Primary School, to see the children he has become friends with over many years of visiting.

The pupils at his local primary school made Mr Milward a hat, gave him a cake, and presented him with a massive birthday card, filled with individual greetings. Then they all sang him happy birthday.

He was joined at the school by Ashbourne's mayor Ann Smith, who also showed him through more than 200 comments left on Facebook after she announced it was his birthday on her Facebook page.

The messages, which were all printed off and given to Mr Milward in a bulging envelope, have all been read individually and Mr Milward says he was touched by the fact so many people had taken the time to wish him well.

He said: "I was overwhelmed by it, they're very touching, all of them.

"I really enjoyed going through them, I read every single one. I just sat and went through them all.

"It was very, very nice, very touching."

Until fairly recently Mr Milward, who lives independently at his home in Peak View Drive, was enjoying regular walks to and from Ashbourne - but knee trouble has affected his mobility and he is now helped into town by friends who push his wheelchair.

However while his mobility isn't what it used to be, his memory is still as sharp as ever and he fondly recalls the trip he took around Ashbourne in a DUKW amphibious truck, identical to the one he drove during the Normandy landings.

His friends arranged for a restored truck to be driven up from Peterborough in August to reunite Mr Milward with the vehicle he says once saved his life.

The DUKW truck was used by allied forces to land on the Normandy beaches and ferry troops across rivers and other bodies of water.

Crowds lined the streets on the big day, to wave Mr Milward on and to watch the huge military vehicle driving through Ashbourne, followed by a Willy's Jeep.

He said: "I still to this day can't think how they managed to get me in it, but they did. And I had such a lovely day.

"I've got strong feelings for the vehicle, it touches me when I think about it.

"I've got some lovely pictures of it and I had such a good day.

"I've done so much since I've turned 100, I feel very lucky. I don't know why it all keeps coming but there you are.

"People have made me feel wanted at various functions. I don't mind, though, I love it."