On the 28th of February I was lucky enough to meet Aubrey Crawley a day after his 100th birthday to talk about his past and current life. Accompanied with many cards, gifts, tea cakes and songs the ex-navy engine rig and electrician talked generously about the life he has led.
Mr Crawley grew up in Brixton and New Malden before moving to Australia at the age of 50 for 3 years where he worked for the Otis Lift Company and later spent a further 2 years in New Zealand. He spoke fondly of his memories across different professions both as an electrician and working as an engine rig on a naval ship at the age of just 18. Aubrey said the best part of being a member of the navy was “the comradeship and life long friendship you forge”. He said that he remained in contact with many of his friends but spoke sadly of how he was “the only one left”. Aubrey has been married twice in his life. During his second marriage, he worked for his wife at a cleaning company she owned in Esher. The pair cleaned what we now know as Claremont Fan school yet, Aubrey recalled how it was a stately home where Princess Charlotte was born.
Mr Crawley discussed briefly of the things he saw whilst working in the navy including the harrowing sights of “Japanese suicide bombers” in displays he’d never seen before. As a release from the daily distress Aubrey and his fellow cabin crew faced, he enjoyed nights in local pubs when on land and said that “we would all put in penny’s for a pint”.
It was evident that Aubrey was and still is a social man even at the age of 100. Taking the bus into Kingston is part of his daily routine where he goes to McDonalds each morning for a coffee at the “fabulous prices they give”. Mr Crawley was outwardly emphatic about how “cheap” it is to get McDonalds and the “incredible staff that always offer me (Aubrey) a seat”. When I asked him why he took the bus so often he exclaimed that “I love it in Kingston”. Despite living in Surbiton Aubrey admitted that its “incredible” to see how Kingston town has evolved over the decades that he has lived in the area. Each Friday Aubrey takes his laundry to the local launderette (by bus) and said each week he’s met with a cup of coffee. These stories helped me understand how he is treated among the locals both in Kingston and Surbiton and how it has helped him remain such an outwardly positive and social man as a result of the selfless acts of kindness he revives daily. It was wonderful to see the positive impact of our local community on the elders of our town.
As expected Mr Crawley is slightly doddery on his feet and walks with the assistance of a walking stick and so naturally enjoys sitting down in front of the TV each night. Not withstanding, Aubrey, seemed disappointed with the quality of television now a days and exclaimed that “it’s all repeats” and how everything on now is everything “I (Aubrey) saw last week”. He was especially passionate about his dislikes for soaps like “Eastenders and Coronation street”, yet was “partial to a bit of the news”.
During the celebration we shared many laughs as it quickly came apparent that he was quite the joker. His sunny and humorous disposition made the afternoon light and comfortable. Despite the gathering being all about him, he was very inquisitive about the life of both me and Surbiton High’s principal Rebecca Glover which showed his caring manner.
Mr Crawley seemed comfortable in the school environment and continuously joked that he would “quite like to move in” as he admired the artwork of our pupils and relaxed in the plush pale blue armchairs. This was not Aubrey’s first engagement at Surbiton High School, and had in fact been to this school and enjoyed our annual Christmas dinner.
Before returning home, we were greeted by Surbiton Young voices choir where they sung in beautifully harmony ‘Happy Birthday’. Mr Crawley was elated by their voices and demanded enthusiastically for an encore and enjoyed singing along the second time round.
I hope that Aubrey enjoyed both his birthday with many Victoria sponges, family and friends and felt welcomed by the Surbiton Community where we celebrated his life’s achievements with an enormous card carefully crafted by the Year 7 “gifted and talented” art students. The card was branded with Ursa his naval ship, light bulbs, cake, buses and Christmas dinner all personal to him and his spectacular life.
