Hundreds of people came together to create an unforgettable 100th birthday for former Royal Marine Stan Woolley in Southport.
Stan celebrated his big day at Ivy Gate Lodge Care Home on Saturday (7th March 2026) surrounded by over 600 birthday cards while scores of visitors called in to wish him well and bring him cards and gifts.
Visitors included Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside Peter Oliver OBE; Southport Royal British Legion President Serena Silcock-Prince; Southport Royal British Chairman David Adams; Southport Town Crier Kevin Ruane MBE; Members of the Royal Marines Association City of Liverpool; Royal Marine veterans and serving personal; British Army veterans; Southport Hesketh Round Table; and many more.
They were warmly welcomed by Stan’s surviving family; his niece, Jackie Ryan and her husband George, along with members of the Ivy Gate Lodge team.
Rave Wilson from the care home had started the ball rolling when she put out an appeal through Stand Up For Southport asking if people could send 100 birthday cards to mark Stan’s 100th birthday.
The incredible Southport community did what they did best, coming together in strength to show unbelievable kindness and generosity.
The cards, which came from as far away as Canada and New Zealand, included a very special one sent by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, which was read out and presented by Southport Town Crier Kevin Ruane MBE.
Ahead of his big day Stan was visited by wellwishers including representatives from Southport Football Club; pupils from Stanley High School in Southport; Children from Kinder World Nursery in Southport; while local Rainbows in Southport created and sent special hand-made cards.
Liverpool Football Club, Southport MP Patrick Hurley, and others were among others who have sent birthday cards.
A spokesperson for Ivy Gate Lodge Care Home said: “We would just like to say a massive thank you to everyone who turned up for Stan on Saturday!
“We couldn’t be more proud of all of our staff at Ivy Gate Lodge Care Home, you have done us all so proud!
“Thank you to everyone else who has made this day special for Stan on his big achievement.
“More pictures of Stan and all of those who were there will follow on the Ivy Gate Facebook page.
“We would just like to say thank you so much to everyone who turned up and everyone who sent cards and presents for Stan to help him celebrate his 100th birthday.
“We can’t believe the turnout, it really was amazing!
“We are glad to say that Stan has thoroughly enjoyed himself.
“We are currently gathering all pictures that people have taken at the celebration. Once we have gathered them altogether we will be posting for all to see!
“If anyone would like to share any pictures they have taken please feel free to send them over!
“We will also be gathering the grand total of cards soon, make sure you follow us to keep updated.”
Stan joined the Royal Marines in 1940 and was one of five brothers who fought for his country during World War II. His eldest brother was sadly killed during the war.
Stan was joined at his birthday by his niece, Jackie Ryan, and her husband, George Ryan, who live in Formby.
They said: “We are overjoyed at the huge support and kindness from so many people.
“To go in and see so many birthday cards is wonderful. They’re all hanging up along the ceiling, on the walls – there are so many of them!
“Stan has been really enjoying reading all the cards – there are so many beautiful messages.
“It has given him a real boost. I think he has tired himself out reading them all!
“It just shows what a wonderful community we have here in Southport.
“We never expected to see him getting so many! People have been so kind.”
Stan has certainly lived a full life.
He was born in Liverpool and grew up in Wavertree.
His wife, Millicent – known to her family and friends as ‘Mickey’ – died 30 years ago.
Stan was living independently at home in Formby until last year before he went into a care home.
Jackie and George said: “Stan joined up in 1940 and served in the Royal Marines during World War II.
“He served for part of the time on the aircraft carrier Theseus.
“He was one of five brothers to serve during the war. Two of his brothers were in the Royal Air Force, and another two were in the British Army.
“Tragically, Stan’s eldest brother, Raymond, died in 1941. He was a dispatch rider and on a mission when he lost his life.
“One brother was captured by the Japanese during the fall of Hong Kong in 1941, and spent the rest of the war in Nagoya Prisoner Of War Camp in Japan.
“The other two brothers served in the RAF in Europe.
“After he returned home, Stan never liked to talk about his experiences in the war. He was a very private man and he never talked about those years at all.
“We have been finding out little bits recently as we have been coming across different documents and other things.
“After the end of the war he was demobbed from the armed forces and joined the Palestine Police, where he spent two years.
“When he returned to the UK he worked for Baddeley Brothers, a specialist printer of luxury stationery, envelopes and finely-crafted packaging in London, which did work for the Palace. It was a high-end publisher.
“From there he went on to run a Post Office in Northampton before returning to the printers, where he became Managing Director.
“He retired and came to live in Formby 14 years ago.
“We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has done so much to make Stan’s 100th birthday such a special occasion for him.”
Rave Lawson at Ivy Gate Lodge Care Home said: “Ivy Gate Lodge, Stan and his family are so overwhelmed with the HUGE amount of cards we have received!
“Initially, our project was to collect 100 cards for Stan – we received over 600 and we haven’t counted them all yet.
“We would like to thank the whole of the Southport community and the whole of the UK plus people in other parts of the world including New Zealand, Canada, and many more for your true kindness towards Stan.
“This is such an amazing thing that we have done together.
“Thank you all for making this possible.”
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