Against all odds – Solihull couple celebrates 76 years of marriage

Ninety-four-year-old Honour Jacob, known as Mary, who lives at Care UK’s Blossomfield Grange, on Worcester Way, and her husband Prince Albert Jacob (99), known as Jake, toasted 76 years of marriage.

The home’s team arranged a romantic three-course meal in a private dining room along with two of their friends. Later, everyone enjoyed a performance by the Boogaloo Babes, a vintage singing group, who played music from the era when the couple first met.

The couple started their lives more than 4,000 miles apart from each other, with Mary born in Newton-le-Willows in Lancashire and Jake born in Port of Spain, Trinidad.

At the age of 17, Jake left his homeland to serve in the Royal Air Force during World War Two. After the war, he transferred to RAF Burtonwood, a base near Warrington, to work as an equipment assistant. He also attended a local technical college during his time in the RAF, which is where he met Mary who was studying shorthand and typing.

During their first conversation, Jake remembers being impressed by Mary quoting Shakespeare and just a few weeks later they went on their first date to a local park with some friends. However, somebody saw the couple together and told Mary’s dad. He was outraged that Mary was mixing with a black man and he banned her from seeing him again – which put a halt on their relationship.

In 1947 Jake returned to Trinidad but the pair kept in touch, writing letters to one another, neither of them being sure if they would have a future together, due to the opposition from Mary’s father and the huge distance between them.

Later that year, after working in a printing office in Trinidad, Jake returned to Britain to seek better career prospects but struggled as there were many restrictions as to where he could work. Eventually, Jake had a successful career working for the Post Office for over 32 years.

Despite all the challenges, the couple were reunited and married on April 27, 1948 at Oldbury Registry Office. No family members attended on the day, but Jake said: “The wedding was lovely and was the start of our life together.”

When asked what the secret to their long-lasting marriage was, the couple said: “Be open and honest with each other."

They also said their advice for young couples today would be: “Be more disciplined, be loyal to each other” and “you’re working for each other so work together.”

Cheryl Harbourne, General Manager at Blossomfield Grange, said: “We were honoured to help Mary and Jake celebrate their anniversary. It is important to share stories from older generations as many of their messages and advice are still relevant today. They have definitely taught us how their adversities didn’t stop them in their pursuit of love, and here they are still together 76 years later.

“Here at Blossomfield Grange, we understand the importance of celebrating life’s milestones, big and small. This was a very special day for Mary and Jake and the atmosphere in the home was wonderful and prompted other residents to share memories of their own weddings and relationships.

“It was truly a day to remember – happy 76th anniversary Mary and Jake!”

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Blossomfield Grange incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities. The home has been configured into a series of neighbourhoods to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents.

To find out more about Blossomfield Grange, contact Director of Community Relations call Jo Hopkins, on 0121 392 7833 or email [email protected]

For more general information, please visit: careuk.com/blossomfield-grange