Happy 100th, Reg
We wish Mr Reginald (Reg) Wilcox of Resthaven Bellevue Heights a very happy 100th birthday.
Reg, born in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England in 1920, was the first of two sons. He was educated at Saint Alfred’s College, where he excelled in sport, rather than in the classroom!
When Reg was 13½, his father died of consumption, which he had contracted during the first World War. Reg subsequently left school to take on a job as an apprentice painter, enabling him to support his mother and younger brother.
In 1939, World War II broke out, and, aged 19, Reg was notified that he was required to do service for his country. He joined the Air Force as a Wireless Operator, and left seven years later as a Flight Sergeant.
Reg married Annie Carlisle in 1942, aged 22 years old. For six years, the couple lived in Portsmouth, before emigrating to Australia in December 1948.
The family arrived in Brisbane in February 1949 after six weeks at sea. For several years, they lived and worked in Queensland, before moving to Tasmania in 1955, where they would spend 15 years.
In 1970, the family moved to Victoria for three years, before going back to Queensland, this time to the Gold Coast.
It was here that Reg began coaching the local soccer teams, taking them to many Premierships. He also took on ballroom dancing with his wife, and, again, many medals were achieved.
Sadly, his wife passed away in 1978. In 1984, Reg decided to move to Adelaide to be with his daughter and family in Upper Sturt in the Adelaide Hills. Reg has lived in the same area now for 36 years.
Reg continued his trade as a painter and decorator until his mid 80s, and also coached soccer at his grandchildren’s school until his late 70s.
He has always loved dancing, and would go to a dance at least three times a week, and then take classes to compete in competitions where he would obtain many medals.
He lived independently in a unit in Blackwood until 2016, before moving to Resthaven Bellevue Heights, where he has lived happily for the last four years.
Reg has two daughters, three grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren, and he is very much loved by all.
Happy birthday, Reg!