Mrs Una Wood celebrates 100 years

One hundred years ago on 12 December, Mrs Una Wood was born in a small village in Stutton, England.

Mrs Wood remembers living a quiet, happy childhood with her family and friends, which came to a halt when she entered adulthood.

‘I would have been around 21 years old when I joined the Royal Air Force (RAF).’

‘The war had broken out [1941, World War II] and it was what everyone was doing – I wouldn’t have met Tom if I didn’t.’

Mrs Wood first met her now-husband, Mr Thomas Wood, on an eventful Christmas Eve in 1941.

‘We had gone on a double date with a girlfriend I knew at the time, and one of Tom’s friends who wanted to set us up.’

‘There was a major blackout in the town, which made for an interesting first date – I knew I wasn’t going to let this one go!’

And she never did, ‘We have been married for around 78 years now and have had many adventures together.’

It wasn’t long before the couple mutually decided to marry.

‘The wedding was held in my village, and I remember it being the biggest village wedding at the time.’

After enjoying their honeymoon in London, Tom returned to the war.

‘I stayed back with my mother, not long finding out I was with child.’

Mr and Mrs Wood would then spend two years apart – Tom serving his duties in the RAF, and Una staying back to raise their first son, Andrew.’

‘When the war ended in 1946, Tom came home for good – and we had our second son, Ian.’

‘I went back to work for a while myself, working as a secretary in an accounting hall – I was very good at that.’

Tom and Una enjoyed many years living abroad in England, Germany and Romania, among other places, before settling down in Fullarton, South Australia, where they have lived in their home for 41 years.

‘We love it here, and this way we can be with our sons and their families, who all made the move down this way first.’

Now, Mr and Mrs Wood receive Home Support services from Resthaven Paradise & Eastern Community Services, assisting them to live independently in their home.

Mrs Wood doesn’t yet have plans for her birthday, but no matter the details, she will be surrounded by her family, in her beloved home with Tom.

Many happy returns, Mrs Wood.

Established in 1935, Resthaven is a South Australian not-for-profit aged care community service associated with the Uniting Church in Australia.

Every day, Resthaven shares the lives and wisdom of older people and their carers, opening doors to the full range of aged care service options available.

Services are provided throughout metropolitan Adelaide, the Adelaide Hills, Murraylands, Riverland, Fleurieu Peninsula, lower Barossa region and the Limestone Coast of South Australia.