Ton-up Tom enjoys happy family life
AWEST Lancashire man has celebrated his 100th birthday alongside his wife of 75 years. Thomas Swift was born in Skelmersdale, and turned 100 on November 24, 2017.
As a boy, he attended St Richard’s school, on Liverpool Road, until he was just 13 years old.
After he finished his education, he began working on the railway as part of the line inspection team, and did so until he was called up at the age of 22. He relocated to Wales to complete his army training before he became a driver for the Royal Signals and went to North Africa and Italy to serve the country.
When Thomas left the Army, he had severe nerve damage to his ears caused by close proximity to gunfire, causing deafness – although this improved slightly after a cochlear implant fitted when he was 90.
Before D-Day, 24-year-old Thomas was stationed near Salisbury where he met and married Iris Doreen Swift when she was 18 – and to whom he has been happily married for 75 years. The happy couple relocated to Skelmersdale, where they raised four children together – Malcolm, Tricia, Jacqueline and Barbara, who all also attended St Richard’s school.
Now the pair have a large immediate family, with nine grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
For more than 30 years Tom was a market trader, selling shoes and slippers at St Helens, Kirkby, Chorley and Ellesmere Port markets.
Until a few months ago, the married couple were living together at home, with the help of their youngest daughter, Barbara.
After a stay in hospital, however, Iris, who is now 94, is being looked after in Aaron Crest Nursing Home where Tom is a regular visitor – while Tom remains living at home.
When asked what Tom’s secret to a happy life and marriage was, his daughter Jacqueline joked: “We are still trying to find that out!”
Additionally, until just last year, Tom took part in the annual Remembrance parade at the Skelmersdale Cenotaph, but has since stopped after becoming unable to march.
To celebrate Tom being alive for one century, his family and friends gathered at a lounge in Aaron Crest Nursing Home on Friday, November 24, to allow Iris to be part of the celebrations.
Tom also enjoyed an additional day of celebrations on Saturday, November 25, with local friends and neighbours.