A “REMARKABLE old couple”

celebrated their diamond anniversary 75 years ago.

The Journal of 1936 reported: “Sixty years wed, with nine children, 18 grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Such is the achievement of Mr and Mrs Thomas Rose, of Wyre Mill, near Pershore, who celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary on Saturday.

“Yet they are inclined to be reticent about it, and do not see themselves as their many friends see them – one of the most remarkable old couples in the district.

“Both are as active and healthy as people many years their junior and prefer to spend their time doing odd jobs on the land rather than crouching over the fire, resigning themselves to a stolid inactivity as is the custom of many folk of a similar age.

“When a Journal reporter called at their cottage near the railway line on Tuesday evening he met Mrs Rose emerging from a field where she had been picking up windfall Blenheims from the ground.

“She looked full of health, having a glowing complexion, and was not in the least bit tired even though it was getting late. Mr Rose was in the sitting room but he has not been inactive since his retirement from the railway in 1917, frequently carrying out odd jobs in the market gardening line.

“Mr and Mrs Rose were married at St Nicholas’ Church, Worcester, on October 31, 1876, by the late Rev Ritchings.

Mrs Rose was 18 and her husband was 22.

“Mrs Elizabeth Ann Rose, who is now 78 but does not look it, is a daughter of Mr and Mrs Richard Brooks, who lived at Blockley for some time.

“Her father went out to India to assist in the construction of the East India Railway and later went to American on similar work where it is believed that he died, although no official notification was ever received. Her mother died in Wyre about 50 years ago.

“Mr Thomas Rose is a son of the late Mr and Mrs Thomas Rose, of Alderton, near Winchcombe. His father was employed for many years as a stockman by the late Squire Holland, of Dumbleton Hall.

“Mr Rose worked as a platelayer on the Great Western Railway, stationed at Pershore, for more than 30 years.

Of their seven daughters and two sons, six daughters and one son survive.

“Their eldest son, Harold, was killed in The Great War in 1918, serving in the Worcestershire Regiment. Their other son Richard served in Egypt, in the Worcestershire Yeomanry, during the war. They lost a daughter, Mrs Harry Shepherd, of Wyre, a few years ago.

“Mr and Mrs Rose came to Wyre after their marriage, living in the village at first. They have resided in their present abode for about 50 years.”