Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Turning 100 in lockdown
At 100 years old, you’d expect Bill Divers to have seen a lot of the world - but that might just be an understatement. Because the great-great-grandfather racked up more than three million miles as a coach tour driver, attributing his long life to staying in the best hotels and eating the finest food on his travels.
But few would deny the Burma veteran any creature comforts after enduring the horrors of war in the Far East ,where he lost many friends and witnessed things that still hold traumatic memories he is reluctant to dwell on. “Fortunately, the enemy never got me and I came home in 1946 and I’ve had a pretty good life ever since,” said Bill, who became a centenarian last Tuesday.
“I’ve seen a lot the world and always stayed in nice four-star hotels with the job, which I reckon has served me well and kept me going,”
Born in the Dane John Gardens in Canterbury, Bill lived in Stourmouth and did a variety of jobs before joining the RAF and being sent to India and Burma. It was there he exchanged letters and photographers with his future wife, Doreen, who he proposed to despite having never actually met.
But it proved to be a wise choice because back in civvy street, they were married and remained so for 62 years until her death in 2007.
Bill worked for the East Kent Bus Company and became a popular tour driver, renowned for his knowledge and experience.
“I always researched places we were going to and prided myself on knowing all 59 passengers’ names by the end of the second day,” he said.
Bill only retired from coach driving when he was 83, and was still at the wheel of his prized Audi until he was 96, when failing eyesight forced him to give up.
He and Doreen had three children - Janette, David and John - with 10 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren now in the family.
They were unable to celebrate with him how they would have liked, but visited at a distance to wish him happy birthday. David said: “Of course, we would like to have made more of a fuss of him and taken him out for lunch but it’s just not possible right now.”
Bill was also treated to a surprise visit, cake and card from staff at Age UK Canterbury, where he has been a regular visitor for years.