Jim turns 100 – and is one of the last to get The Queen’s well wishes
Fermanagh expat in Australia received birthday greetings from Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, just two days before her death
A FERMANAGH expat has proudly celebrated his 100th birthday in Australia – and not only that, he is one of the last people in the world whose remarkable birthday was celebrated with a little help from Queen Elizabeth II.
James (Jim) Burke celebrated his September 18 birthday with family and friends. However, shortly before his big day, Jim received a very special message – a birthday letter from Her Majesty.
The Royal letter arrived at Jim’s home in Queenland, Australia, just two days before The Queen’s death on September 8, in what would have been among the final birthday greetings sent by Her Majesty prior to her passing.
Speaking about receiving the greeting, Jim said: “I was very saddened by The Queen’s passing, which made my letter from Her Majesty even more special.
“I was delighted to receive my birthday letter from The Queen just two days prior to her passing. I popped my letter into a frame and proudly displayed it at my 100th birthday celebrations.”
Jim was born in Belfast to James Burke and Violet Jane Burke (née) Abercrombie. The family later moved to Castleblayney, before moving on to Enniskillen.
Talking about his early life, Jim said: “I had a good life. I grew up with my half-sister, Anna; my three older sisters, Vera, Betty and Edna, and two younger brothers, Harold and Cecil.”
He continued: “When I was young, I lived in Belfast, where my father was a railway foreman, then my family moved to Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan, where we lived at Lord Hope’s Estate, where my father was a manager.
“We later moved to Enniskillen, where my father worked in the courthouse, and we lived along the Irvinestown Road.”
Fermanagh has fond memories for Jim. Recalling his early life and memories, he said: “As a lad, I also enjoyed visiting my granny, Emily Abercrombie née Frazer, on her farm outside Enniskillen. I loved all the animals, and seeing the men working in the fields.”
Working life took Jim all across the county, he said. “As a young man, I worked in my uncle’s laundry at Coleshill, then for Gracie Brothers in Ederney and Enniskillen, then finally at the Lisnaskea butchery with my brother, Cecil, and my brother-in-law, David Lucy.
“I enjoyed my time at Gracie Brothers. I liked going out in the truck to pick up poultry and other produce from the farms, and chatting with the farmers.”
Jim left Fermanagh almost 70 years ago in what was a holiday, but his life then took a different path – however, he has regularly returned to Fermanagh.
“I left Fermanagh in 1951 with my friend, Sammy Norris, on what was meant to be a holiday to Livingstone, then Northern Rhodesia, now Zambia.
“I ended up staying there, living and working in Monze until 1973, when I emigrated to Queensland, Australia, with my family.”
He added: “Although I have lived away from home since 1951, I visited my family every few years. My last trip home was in 2011, where I celebrated my 89th birthday.”
Jim puts his long life down to living a “full life”. He added: “I worked hard, enjoyed outdoor activities, was blessed with good health and have a loving family, including my wife of 52 years, my three daughters, my five grandchildren, and my 11 great-grandchildren.”