Proud veteran James (Jim) Melrose recently celebrated a remarkable milestone birthday surrounded by generations of his loving family, followed by a very special day out.
Jim celebrated his centenary at Sanctuary Care’s not-for-profit Camilla House Care Home in Edinburgh, with his loved ones, fellow residents and the team. A devoted father to two sons, Kenneth and Michael, grandfather to five grandchildren – twins Andrew and Craig, and Kathryn, Sarah and Rachael and great‑grandchildren, Jack, Theo and Ella – family has always been at the heart of Jim’s life.
Jim voluntarily enlisted in the Royal Navy in 1943, serving with distinction during the Second World War. Posted to the Far East and based primarily in Sydney, Australia, he worked aboard several warships, including destroyers, where he served as a torpedo electrician.
After the war, Jim enjoyed a long career with the Scottish & Newcastle Brewery. Away from work, he developed a passion for making jewellery, often gifting his creations to loved ones or donating them to charity shops. He was always quick to joke that he avoided working with gold because it was “too expensive”.
Jim moved to Sanctuary Care’s Camilla House in April 2025, where he has become a valued member of the community. Son Michael reflected on his father’s milestone, saying:
“Dad has always loved being surrounded by his family, old or young. His happiest moments in life have been with Mum and all of us. Dad has only ever been interested in one thing – his family.”
When asked about the secret to his longevity, Jim shared:
“I say a thank you to God every day – and my doctor tells me to ‘just keep breathing’!”
To mark his 100th birthday, the team at Camilla House arranged a memorable surprise: a VIP visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia, berthed at Leith, Edinburgh. Jim enjoyed a special tour of the historic vessel.
Manager at the not-for-profit Sanctuary Care home, Michelle McQueen said:
“We were absolutely delighted to share Jim’s special day with him. At Camilla House, we are passionate about enriching the lives of our residents by doing the things that matter most to them. Taking Jim to visit the Royal Yacht Britannia was something we were incredibly proud to arrange, and it made his milestone birthday even more special.”
