A Navy veteran and his wife have received two cards from the King and Queen after marking a landmark birthday and a special wedding anniversary on consecutive days.
Stan Field turned 100 on Monday, and the following day he and his 97-year-old wife Ivy celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. The couple, who live at the Royal Star & Garter home in Solihull, West Midlands, received cards from King Charles and Queen Camilla on consecutive days.
A lifetime together
Reflecting on their time together, Stan said: “If I had my time over again, I wouldn’t change a thing.” He added: “It means a lot that we’re both here at this Home.”
“We’ve had a very happy life together, and I’m dearly grateful that we’re still together at Royal Star & Garter.”
From the Navy to teaching
Stan was born in East London in 1926 and was called up to the Navy in 1944 during WWII. He worked as a radar mechanic and travelled the world before being demobilised in 1948.
He then trained as a teacher and moved to Birmingham for work, where he met Ivy at a church in Yardley in 1950. Stan said: “As soon as I saw her, I thought ‘that’s the one for me’. It was love at first sight - and I’m sure it was God-guided.”
The couple did not marry until 1956, as they wanted to save up money first. Stan went on to teach for over 30 years, becoming head teacher at then Hawbush Middle School. After raising their two daughters, Ivy taught shorthand and typing.
Double celebration at the home
The couple enjoyed a family party last Saturday with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren present. Friends then gathered at the home on Stan’s birthday, before staff put on a special meal for the couple on their anniversary.
Katie McCauley, Home Manager at Royal Star & Garter in Solihull, said: “We do our upmost to support our residents in every way.
“We recognise that it is hugely important to keep couples together when they need our care and I’m proud that we can go the extra mile to support Stan and Ivy for their double celebration.
“Congratulations to them both.”
The couple marked their milestones at the home where they have lived together since March this year. The charity provides care and support to veterans and their families living with disability or dementia, from Homes in Solihull, Surbiton, High Wycombe and Worthing. It also runs services reaching out into the community including Day Care, Lunch Club and a national Telephone Friendship Service.
