National Service led to 70 years of marriage for Greenisland couple

Arthur (90) and Jean (91) Brindley are celebrating their platinum wedding anniversary.

The couple, who have three daughters, Elizabeth, Daphne and Sylvia, seven grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren, were married in England 70 years ago.

Originally from Nuneaton in Warwickshire, Arthur came to Northern Ireland in 1948 on National Service and was stationed at Palace Barracks, Holywood, Co Down.

Sylvia takes up the story: “He met mum at a dance and would walk home on occasions to the barracks from the top of the Crumlin Road to Holywood when he missed the bus. They married on 30th December 1950 in the snow.

“They lived in England for a year but mum was homesick so they came back and lived on Ewarts Row just off the Crumlin Road, Belfast.

“Dad eventually got a job in the Ewarts mill when he got a work permit. They moved to Greenisland around 1954 and still live in the same house.

“Dad worked in Courtaulds in Carrickfergus until they closed and he got a job as a caretaker in the University of Ulster.

“Mum worked in Courtaulds in Newtownabbey again until it closed and then as a cleaner in UUJ (University of Ulster Jordanstown) as well.”

Arthur was also a caretaker in Greenisland Presbyterian Church for several years after he retired from work.

Sylvia quipped: “Dad is mum’s ‘toyboy’ and he very proudly tells everyone that.”

She added: “It is a great privilege for us to have them as parents.”

Click here to read: Greenisland couple receive greetings from the Queen and Mayor on diamond anniversary

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