100-year-old Windsor care home resident says “a pint of beer whenever you feel like it” is the secret to a long life

 

A resident at a care home in Windsor recently celebrated his 100^th birthday, and shared his secret to living a long and happy life.

Walter Henry Banham, a resident at Care UK’s Queen’s Court, on Dedworth Road, marked his 100^th birthday with a party at the home, where team members decorated the lounge and the Head Chef made a special cake.

Walter was born in Holbeach, Lincolnshire, on the 8^th February 1925, but was raised in Dunstable, Bedfordshire. He volunteered to join the Royal Navy when World War II started and served in the Mediterranean, Aegean and the North Sea from 1942 to 1945 as an Able Seaman on a number of ships.

Walter recalls being most fond of the HMS Penelope, but whilst onboard he was selected for a gunnery course and had to leave, in what would turn out to be a miraculous twist of fate that saved his life. On 18^th February 1944, just a short time after Walter disembarked HMS Penelope to go on his course, the ship was torpedoed and sunk by a German U-boat near Naples, tragically taking the lives of 417 crew members.

Once he was discharged from the Navy, he worked in several factories before training as a bricklayer.

Walter met his wife Cynthia at a local factory and the pair married on the 18^th September 1948 and moved to Windsor in 1955. Together, the couple have three children together, as well as seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Walter was a keen vegetable gardener and was devoted to his shed. He also took on adventurous building projects across Windsor during his working life, recalling that a career highlight was being asked to build the Kings Ride Park Crown in Ascot.

When asked what the secret to a long and happy life was, he said: “Stay outside and do exercise” and “drink a pint of beer when you feel like it!”

Bozena Szczepaniak, Home Manager at Queen’s Court, said: “Walter is a much-loved resident at Queen’s Court, and it was great to be a part of such a special day.

“We’re committed to helping residents live fulfilling lives, which is why we love to celebrate big milestones – and Walter’s birthday 100^th birthday is no exception. It was great to listen to him share his words of wisdom with everyone and we’re always fascinated by his life stories. Here’s to you, Walter!”

Queen’s Court has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives. The home provides full-time residential, nursing and specialist dementia care, as well as short-term respite care, and it has its very own cinema, hair and beauty salon and café.