A remarkable group of six centenarians, all with extraordinary histories of service, are being celebrated at Broughton House Veteran Care Village in Salford. The latest to join this exclusive club is George Evans, who has just celebrated his 100th birthday.
A Century of Service and Celebration
George Evans, who served in the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) during the Second World War, marked his centenary surrounded by staff, fellow residents, and his daughter Janet. Having moved into the care home in February 2022, George enjoyed a traditional Victoria sandwich cake, his favourite, in a room decorated with banners and balloons.
Before his conscription in 1944 at the age of 18, George worked as an apprentice electrician at Irlam Steelworks in Salford. His vital wartime role involved the repair and maintenance of damaged tanks for the British Army.
Legends of the Greatest Generation
George is in esteemed company. The other centenarian residents at Broughton House each have their own astounding tales of courage and duty.
Peter Belcher, who will turn 102 on December 9, is a D-Day veteran. Serving from 1937 to 1949, he was part of the 2nd Battalion Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, 6th Airborne Division. On D-Day, his unit's mission was the critical capture and defence of the Caen canal and River Orne road bridges, including the famous Pegasus Bridge. This action, part of Operation Deadstick, protected the eastern flank for troops landing on Sword Beach. Peter, later in the Parachute Regiment, was awarded six military medals, including France's prestigious Légion d'Honneur.
Monty Black, 100, from Cheetham Hill, Manchester, was conscripted at 18. Trained as a wireless telegraphy operator, he learned Morse Code and was later transferred to the Royal Navy. He served in Ceylon, receiving signals from warships in the Far East and relaying them to fleet command, before being posted to India.
Joe Jervis, aged 102 and from south Manchester, enlisted in the RAF in 1944 as a trained aircraft engineer. He served at fighter airfields across the UK, maintaining iconic aircraft like the Spitfire.
Cliff Butterworth, 100, served in the Royal Navy after enlisting in 1942. He was a deck hand on the Hunt-class destroyer HMS Brocklesby, which took part in the Allied landings on Sicily and the Italian coast, escorting vital troopship convoys.
The sixth centenarian is Dorothy Potts, 100, a former professional dancer whose husband served in the RAF.
Wisdom, Laughter, and Strength
Jane Green, director of care at Broughton House, praised the remarkable group. "Our centenarians are amazing individuals and are the embodiment of living well with meaning and purpose," she said. "It’s remarkable to think that between them they have over 600 years of wisdom, laughter and strength. They keep active and sociable, and are a true inspiration."
The residents shared their thoughts on longevity. George was delighted to celebrate and happy to exchange pearls of wisdom with his friends. Peter credited his Christian faith and a positive mindset, advising everyone to "keep moving for as long as you can." Dorothy finds her greatest joy in seeing her great-grandchildren, while Joe emphasised the importance of a solid group of family and friends. Monty focuses on maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle and kindness to others.
Since opening its doors to the ex-service community in 1916, Broughton House has cared for more than 8,000 veterans. The site is now a modern complex featuring a 64-bed care home—with specialist households for veterans living with dementia—independent living apartments, a museum, gym, salon, and a Veterans’ Mess.
