“Keep Yourself Busy!” advises former WW2 Nurse and Porthcawl Care Home Resident to Mark International Women’s Day

“Keep yourself busy,” advises Glenys House, a 98-year-old care home resident to mark International Women’s Day. Glenys lives at RMBI Care Co. Home Albert Edward Prince of Wales Court, in Porthcawl. “This is also my secret to a long life!” she adds.

Glenys was born as Glenys Violet Hemmings in Abercan, South Wales, on 13th July 1925, only seven years after the end of the First World War. She became a Brownie when she was just a child and, when the Second World War broke out, she joined the RAF as a nurse.

Glenys had the rank of Leading Aircraft Woman (LAC) and tended soldiers that have been prisoners of war in Japan. Commenting on this experience with the troops, she says: “It wasn’t very nice what they had done to our boys!”

Then, she met her husband, Fred, who was also in the military. They got married in 1946 and celebrated their golden wedding anniversary 50 years later, in 1996. They had four children, although, sadly, two passed away. Glenys has grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who travel from Birmingham to visit her, she says: “There are too many to keep count of now.”

Glenys will turn 100 in July next year, but she remains active. “I’ve always kept myself busy and I do enjoy walking!” she remarks. “Glenys is a lovely lady,” says Nicola Osborne, one of the Home’s Activities Coordinators. “She spends many hours still walking throughout the Home, chatting to people on the way! She enjoys attending activities and sitting having a cuppa and a biscuit.”