D-DAY veteran who led Christchurch Royal Naval Association, Dennis Morris, has died at the age of 92.

Born in Henley-on-Thames, Dennis Campbell Morris spent part of his childhood in Newark, Nottinghamshire, with his mother and sisters. He also had an older step-sister, Ivy, who lived in Highcliffe for many years.

During the Second World War he served with the Royal Navy, joining the training ship HMS Collingwood in 1943 when he was 18 years old. By the Autumn of that year he was considered ready to join the crew of HMS Winchester in Rosyth and took part in the Battle of the Atlantic.

"The ship was later one of many guarding the Normandy beaches while troops were landing there on D-Day and in 2015 he was awarded the Legion d' Honneur by the French government. It was presented to him by the mayor of Christchurch at a special lunch. He was very proud of this and all his other service medals," said his partner Christine Payne.

Dennis also served on HMS Abercrombie, sailing to North Africa and eventually to the Indian Ocean before starting the return journey to England on the day after VJ Day.

He was discharged from the Royal Navy in 1946 and two years later married Mary, also known as Molly. Dennis also joined the Royal Fleet Reserve and became an instructor of the Henley-on-Thames Sea Cadets, rising to the rank of Lieutenant R.N.V.R SP.

By 1957 such were his work commitments as a painter and decorator that he regretfully had to retire from the cadet force.

Dennis and Molly moved to Bournemouth in 1966. While also continuing his work as a painter and decorator, he and Molly, helped their daughter Lorraine, to run a successful guest house until 1978 when it was sold and the family moved to Hengistbury Head.

When he semi-retired from painting and decorating he became caretaker of the Marine Training Centre at Hengistbury Head. Dennis finally gave up work when he was in his eighties to look after Molly until her death in 2011.

"He joined the Christchurch and District branch of the Royal Naval Association in 1998 and was an active member serving in every role possible, arranging social events, fundraising and visiting the sick shipmates. He was chairman for five years, until March this year, representing the R.N.A at numerous functions and events," said Christine, a fellow R.N.A member with whom he formed a close relationship, and they shared a few happy years together.

In recognition of his long and active service with the R.N.A. Dennis was made a life president of the Christchurch and District branch, and continued being an active member.

He was also a long term member of Pokesdown and Southbourne Ex-Servicemen's Club and the Royal British Legion.

Dennis died on October 5 and his funeral was held at Bournemouth Crematorium on October 30. He is survived by his daughter Lorraine and partner Christine.