Roma’s Story

Roma Davies, 102, lives at Albert Edward Prince of Wales Court, in Porthcawl. She moved to the Home in July 2018 and was joined by her sister Gwyneth in August 2020.

Roma’s background

Roma was born on 26 June 1921 in Hakin, Milford Haven, where she went to school and lived with her parents, her sister and her great aunt. She was taught to knit at aged three, and had just turned 18 when the Second World War started. She recalls:

There was no food, and clothes had to be altered. I remember making pillow cases out of old sheets.

Although Roma spent her entire childhood in the same area, soon after she would see the world. When she married Frederick, who was an inspector for the Naval Ordinance, they moved to Kenya, where they spent three years.

The couple travelled extensively around East Africa and even walked the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in the continent. Shortly after, they had three children: Richard, Peter and Freda.

Roma sadly lost her husband when she was 80.

Fred was a marvellous husband and I was so blessed to spend my life with him.

A life of service

On their return from Kenya, Roma and her family would enjoy camping all around Great Britain. This led her to take a post in the Girl Guides, where she stayed for 15 years, starting as a Lieutenant and then becoming a Captain.

A tireless activist throughout her life, Roma joined the National Federation of Women’s Institute at 65 and became a founding member of the Women’s Institute in Milford Haven. She arranged many activities to advance the education of women and girls and even became president on several occasions.

Her involvement in such initiatives led Roma to win an award in her home town, which recognised her outstanding contributions to Milford Haven. Likewise, Pembrokeshire Council awarded her for her contributions to intergenerational activities in the local area.

Asked about her secret for a long life, Roma said that:

Have a life of service helping others.

A learner and a teacher

Despite losing her husband, Roma kept active in the following years. At aged 88, Roma took up computer lessons so that she could communicate with her loved ones through email and video calls, and even took many of her Women’s Institute friends with her on the course. She said:

Thank God I could use Zoom at the Home during the pandemic. I am so grateful to the Home’s staff for that.

Since Roma moved into Albert Edward Prince of Wales Court in 2018, she has joined in all the Home’s activities. Her input includes poems, short stories and, of course, her greatest love: knitting. She does baby clothes and booties, and the Home’s staff have raffled blankets and cushions that she has made.

Involvement in Freemasonry

Roma’s husband, Fred Davies, was a member of St. David’s Lodge (no. 366) in Milford Haven, in the Province of West Wales.