Iris and Nelson’s Story: It all started with a cheeky flirtation

It was the winter of 1948 in Windsor when Iris and Nelson met.

Nelson was a Gwenevere Guard and Iris, a part of the army herself, was working as a Hairdresser. Though their paths didn’t cross with a haircut…

Iris remembers when she first met Nelson and recounts the moment quite fondly. She was walking with two friends after being at the cinema, when three ‘cheeky soldiers’ walked up behind them, one calling out “That’s a nice pair of legs there.” Nelson admits it was a bold comment, but after sharing 72 years of marriage and 6 children together, he’s glad he had the nerve!

Iris and Nelson spent the early years of their marriage living in Yorkshire and Somerset before packing up their six young kids and moving to Australia. After living in many different places throughout South Australia and Queensland (“too many to count”) they describe themselves as wandering nomads – just trying to see as much of Australia as they could. A lot of travel also meant that their resumes were pretty extensive – there aren’t many jobs that they haven’t had a crack at, from running a chicken farm to gardening and Police work. Throughout all the travel and career changes one thing has remained constant, their love for their “greatest accomplishment – our 6 beautiful children”.

Iris and Nelson both have music in their bones – playing instruments from the age of five including piano, organ, trumpet, cornet and mouth organ. Nelson comments that they love music and if they weren’t playing an instrument, they were singing – either at church in the choir or at home.

Iris and Nelson moved into our Christies Beach facility two years ago and are the stars of many of our marketing campaigns due to the wonderful photoshoot we did with them after they joined our home.

Iris states that it has been a godsend to both of them being in here as it has given them both life and friendship, and it has been beautiful.