103-year-old Manx woman reflects on a century of memories, love and changing times

A 103-year-old island woman has shared remarkable memories from more than a century of life, recalling a time when neighbours looked out for one another, bank staff carried large sums of cash through Douglas without security and even family pets could make their own way home on the bus.

Mildred Earnshaw, who lives at Castle View Nursing Home in Peel, recently celebrated her 103rd birthday and reflected on the life she has built, including more than 70 years spent in Onchan with her late husband Stanley.

Asked what had changed most during her lifetime, Mildred was quick to answer.

‘People are not as friendly as they were,’ she said.

‘They were much more friendly and helped one another. They don't now.’

Mildred’s memories paint a picture of a very different Isle of Man, where trams passed by her family home and communities were much closer-knit.

One of her fondest stories is that of Pete, a dog Stanley brought home from his Army unit as a puppy after carrying him back in his coat pocket.

Pete became something of a local character, with Mildred recalling how he would make his own way home on public transport.

‘He used to get on the bus and go and lie under a seat,’ she said.

‘He knew when the bus stopped for our stop, and he'd get up and get off there. Otherwise, he just lay still and never bothered anybody, and nobody bothered him.’

Her granddaughter Rebecca McSevney added that Pete would even take himself out for walks before catching the bus home.

‘He was a treasure,’ Mildred smiled.

Mildred also remembers her working life at the Isle of Man Bank during the Second World War, when she would carry large amounts of money across Douglas without any form of security.

She recalled walking from Broadway to the bank’s headquarters on Athol Street with the cash.

‘Everybody knew me. They knew I was coming with the money,’ she said.

‘It's a miracle I wasn't knocked down for it because there was nobody there to guard me.’

Mildred worked for the bank throughout the war and later at its Onchan branch, continuing a family connection which would later see her late son Adrian also work there before becoming an MHK.

Her and Stanley were among the first Government ‘First Time Buyers’ when they built their own home on Alberta Drive in Onchan in 1948/49, where they spent their married life. Mildred’s parents also built the adjoining house.

Stanley was a D-Day veteran and brought Pete back with him when he returned from his Army service.

For decades, family and community were at the heart of Mildred’s life, with Onchan Methodist Church playing an important role for more than 70 years.

Rebecca recalled how Mildred would walk to Onchan School four times a day while her children were young, making eight journeys each day.

‘That’s probably why you stayed so fit’ she laughed.

Mildred recently marked her 103rd birthday with a special trip to Tynwald Mills, which was something she had requested.

During the visit, she enjoyed looking around the shops but was left slightly surprised by the cost of some of the coats on offer.

Family and friends also gathered at Castle View Nursing Home for tea and cake to celebrate the milestone.

Now living at Castle View, Mildred said she is very happy with the care she receives.

‘Oh, it's lovely here, beautiful,’ she said.

When asked what the secret was to reaching 103, her answer was simple.

‘Enjoy it. Enjoy every minute of it because it doesn't seem that long.’

She also said a glass of sherry had never done any harm, although she insisted every cup of tea should always come with a biscuit.

‘It’s too wet by itself,’ she joked.

Perhaps her most lasting piece of advice, however, came when reflecting on her long marriage to Stanley.

‘Be happy,’ she said.

‘Love each other to bits.’