Emily

Born in Brighton in 1931, Emily Slack was the youngest of ten children. With five older brothers called up to serve during the Second World War, Emily’s early life was deeply rooted in the realities of wartime Britain.

On the right, Emily at 20 years old. On the left, Emily’s marriage to Douglas Slack

As a child, Emily’s memories of WWII are filled with vivid impressions: the Anderson shelter in the back garden, the excitement of wearing her “Sunday best”, a time when rationing made simple treats like homemade jam feel special, and the dramatic dogfights she witnessed in the skies above her school. At just eight years old when the war broke out, and fourteen by the time it ended, Emily remembers the era with a mixture of fear and childhood curiosity.

Her five brothers all served their country bravely. Three of the brothers, George, Ern, and Bob all served in the Army. The oldest brother, John, served in the Royal Navy with the Submarine Service and narrowly escaped tragedy when a bout of appendicitis meant he was removed from his vessel. Just days later, the submarine he had been on was torpedoed with no survivors. Emily’s brother Fred joined the very first Marine Corps and was present at the D-Day Landings. He often spoke of how his experience changed his view on life forever. Fred returned home with injuries from shrapnel and had lost three fingers from his right hand.

The safe return of all five sons from the war was nothing short of miraculous. Emily recalls her mother often saying, “Someone up there must be looking after me.”

In 1956, Emily married Army veteran Douglas Slack. Although their marriage lasted just seven years, Emily was always clear that bringing their two children, Beverley and Tony, into the world made everything worthwhile. Her military ties − through her brothers and former husband − have given Emily a strong connection to the veteran community throughout her life.

As the last surviving sibling in her family, Emily continues to honour their legacy, particularly on Remembrance Day. Her daughter Beverley shared, “Our family always came together to reflect on those times. For Mum, paying respect to those who gave their lives has always been important.”

At Care for Veterans, remembering and honouring military service is a key part of life. Home Manager Vanessa said, “We hold special services for memorial days such as Remembrance Day and commemorate other significant dates like VE Day and D-Day. These moments provide residents with meaningful opportunities to stay connected with the wider veteran community.”

Around ten years ago, Emily’s health began to decline. Initially showing signs of forgetfulness, her condition gradually progressed. In early 2024, Emily started experiencing symptoms of ’sundowning’, a common pattern in dementia where emotional regulation becomes more difficult later in the day. Beverley noticed increasing agitation and personality changes in her mother each evening.

Emily’s care needs quickly escalated, requiring Beverley to assist with daily tasks, medication, and hygiene. “It felt like we were losing Mum a little more each day,” she said. When Beverley became concerned for her mother’s safety, she began searching for a specialist care home that could offer more comprehensive support.

Emily with her granddaughter, Dana

After visiting several options, Beverley chose Care for Veterans. “I was impressed from the beginning,” she explained. “I can see that my mum enjoys herself here, and the staff are truly caring. Mum still has the choice to be independent or to socialise − and now that she has 24-hour care, I no longer have to worry like I used to.”

Emily has fully embraced life at Care for Veterans. She’s a regular at the Wellbeing Hub, enjoys Bingo sessions, and loves the live musical performances hosted by local musicians. Beverley remarked, “She’s moving around more, chatting, laughing − it’s clear that she’s happy here.”

When asked to sum up her mother’s new home, Beverley didn’t hesitate:
“It’s a home within a home.”

Care for Veterans remains dedicated to offering compassionate, tailored care for individuals like Emily, helping them live their later years with dignity, connection, and joy. If you would like to support this vital service, please consider making a donation or click here to learn more about how you can get involved.