Raising a Glass to Cyril

A true Woodlands legend, Cyril has lived an incredible life, including years of dedicated service in the Royal Navy. We had a great time at Woodlands Care Home in Aberdeen was filled with laughter, nostalgia, and a touch of naval tradition as we celebrated a very special milestone – Cyril’s 102nd birthday.

The day began with a lovely video call with family members in Australia and Canada, allowing loved ones near and far to be part of the celebrations. As part of the birthday celebrations, a group of Veterans from the Royal Naval Association arrived to honour Cyril in a way only fellow servicemen by welcoming him into the cafe area at the home with salutes.

Cyril, who served first on a minesweeper before moving to the submarine HMS Spirit, was presented with a series of gifts from his naval comrades, including an honorary membership, a Royal Navy badge, an RN Ensign, and a fascinating history of his submarine. Their visit was not just a celebration of Cyril’s birthday, but also a touching tribute to his service and the deep bonds of the naval community.

Of course, no naval gathering would be complete without a traditional tot of rum. For over 600 years, a daily ration of rum was a staple for sailors, and the veterans ensured that this custom was honoured in true naval fashion. In a nod to the order to Splice the Mainbrace, which is usually given by the King or Commanding Officer to issue an extra ration of rum to celebrate a special occasion or to reward bravery Cyril and his guests were offered a wee nip to celebrate his birthday. Cyril was presented with a bottle of authentic Navy Strength rum, the same powerful 54.5% spirit that sailors were once given to keep morale high at sea.

As each resident was poured a measure to raise a toast, the reactions were priceless. While Cyril and his fellow Navy men downed theirs in one swift motion—clearly well-practised—the strength of the rum took some by surprise! The varied faces of residents tasting the strength was something to see.

As the celebrations continued, the reminiscing moved beyond naval life to wartime memories and the resilience of the past. It was a privilege to witness such an exchange of history and to honour those who served with such bravery and camaraderie. A special thanks goes to Liesa from our reception team, who helped organise the visit, ensuring that Cyril’s birthday was one to remember. We are deeply grateful to the Navy Veterans for making the day so meaningful, and most importantly, to Cyril—for his service, his spirit, and the wonderful memories he continues to share with us all. You can read more about Cyril's day in the Press and Journal.

At Woodlands, we take great pride in creating a warm, welcoming home where residents feel valued, connected, and part of a supportive community. If you’d like to see what life at Woodlands is like, we’d love to welcome you for a visit. Get in touch today to arrange a tour and experience our caring environment for yourself.