13 February 2019
96-year old John and Kathleen Milward are proof that you’re never too old to be love’s young dream. They have recently celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary at their retirement home in Gosport, where they are renowned for always being together and holding hands wherever they go.
Their secret to a long and happy marriage is, Kathleen says, having patience, and John says it’s being able to say ‘YES Dear!’
Kathleen and John married in January 1944 at the tender age of 21 after meeting two years earlier while both volunteering for the Civil Defence.
Whilst John and Kathleen have enjoyed long and successful careers – John as a foreman overseeing the making of radiators for Spitfires, and Kathleen as head cook at a grammar school – they have always found time to enjoy their passion for sailing together, and with their daughter, Ann. In the earlier years, they were able to introduce their two granddaughters to their passion for the open water, and hope to also share this with their two young great-grandsons as they get older.
John and Kathleen continued their happy tale, moving into their current home, FirstPort retirement development Canberra Court in Alverstoke, Gosport in 2000. It is here that they celebrated their special wedding anniversary surrounded by friends and family.
Keith Shields, FirstPort Retirement Property Services Managing Director, said: “I’d like to offer a huge congratulations to John and Kathleen on a happy 75 years of marriage – what a fantastic achievement! We are delighted that they have chosen Canberra Court as their home where they continue to enjoy an active and fulfilled life together.”
96-year old John and Kathleen Milward are proof that you’re never too old to be love’s young dream.
John and Kathleen on their wedding day in 1944.
John and Kathleen celebrating their anniversary at Canberra Court.
