Residents, staff, and families at Bramwell Care Home, part of the Runwood Homes Group, were honoured to welcome four officers from the Royal Naval Reserve Unit on Friday 6th June, as part of a special event to commemorate the anniversary of D-Day.
The visit offered a moving opportunity for intergenerational connection and reflection. Residents engaged in heartfelt discussions with the officers, sharing their own personal wartime experiences and listening to insights about life in today’s Royal Navy.
Mable Joloza, Home Manager of Bramwell, commented on the significance of the day:
“D-Day is very important for our residents because most of them experienced the World War, and they still remember what happened, and to have officers talking to them and remembering those who lost their lives at that time is very important to our residents.”
One resident, who had served in the submarine service, was particularly touched by the visit. In a touching moment that moved both visitors and attendees, the officer presented him with a naval badge—an emotional gesture that brought him to tears.
“The atmosphere was beyond our imagination; to see residents talking about their experience and what they did was unbelievable. They remembered the exact dates and places. It was amazing.”
The event was inspired by conversations with residents about their experiences during the World Wars and their desire to keep those memories alive. A warm cup of tea shared after the discussions gave everyone a chance to reflect on the stories exchanged and the lives remembered.
This powerful celebration stands as a heartfelt tribute to the past and a reminder of the importance of honouring and preserving history through connection.
