A Second World War veteran living in a Southport care home has been inundated with more than 1,500 birthday cards from across the globe after a social media campaign to mark his centenary went viral.
Stan Woolley, who served as a Royal Marine during the conflict, celebrated turning 100 on March 7 at Ivy Gate Lodge Care Home, where he has resided since November.
Staff member Rave Lawson launched an appeal on February 25, hoping to gather 100 cards for the milestone occasion. The post was shared by the Facebook group Stand Up For Southport Business and quickly spread far beyond expectations.
Amy Nwaneroe, the care home’s manager, said the appeal “literally went viral” and described Mr Woolley as “a gentleman” and “very respectful”.
Among the mountain of well-wishes was the traditional 100th birthday card from King Charles III, which took pride of place among the displays covering the walls and ceilings of the care home.
Members of Liverpool Football Club’s men’s first team signed a card for the centenarian, while serving Royal Marines and members of the Royal Marines Association City of Liverpool sent messages describing Mr Woolley as their hero.
Cards arrived from as far afield as Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United States, with deliveries continuing even after the birthday had passed.
Local dignitaries also contributed, including Southport MP Patrick Hurley, Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside Peter Oliver OBE, and Southport Royal British Legion president Serena Silcock-Prince.
Stan Woolley has been inundated with more than 1,500 birthday cards
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IVY GATE LODGE
Year 7 pupils from Stanley High School visited Mr Woolley on Marc 5, while children from Kinder World Nursery brought flowers and a teddy bear.
Mr Woolley was born in Liverpool in 1926 and raised in Wavertree before enlisting in 1940. He served in the Royal Navy and subsequently the Royal Marines, spending part of his wartime service aboard the aircraft carrier Theseus.
His family’s contribution to the war effort was remarkable. All five Woolley brothers served during the conflict, with two joining the Royal Air Force and another two enlisting in the British Army.
The family suffered tragedy when the eldest brother, Raymond, a dispatch rider, was killed on a mission in 1941. Another brother was captured during the fall of Hong Kong that same year and spent the remainder of the war in Nagoya Prisoner of War Camp in Japan.
Stan Woolley celebrated turning 100 at Ivy Gate Lodge Care Home
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Following demobilisation, Mr Woolley joined the Palestine Police Force for two years before returning to Britain, where he worked for Baddeley Brothers, a stationery printer that supplied the Palace, eventually becoming managing director.
He also ran a post office in Northampton before retiring to Formby 14 years ago, where he lived independently until last year, 29 years after the death of his wife, Millicent, known as Mickey.
Ms Nwaneroe said Mr Woolley appeared “really overwhelmed, but in a really positive way” by the response, adding: “You can see that it’s given that kind of reassurance that there’s a lot of people out there that care. He’s still part of the community, the marines and the veteran community, so he seemed really honoured.”
The care home hosted a birthday celebration attended by approximately 98 guests. Staff are now creating a memory box and scrapbook to preserve the cards.
His niece Jackie Ryan said: “We are overwhelmed with the amount of support Stan has received from the local community and we couldn’t have wished for a better turnout for him.”