WWII veteran Eric Bradshaw reunited with his daughter at Millfield care home

An Oldham based Second World War veteran has been reunited with his daughter thanks to the new guidelines allowing for indoor visits by a single named family member or friend in care homes. 

Signalman Eric Bradshaw, 95, a resident of Millfield care home on Huddersfield Road, captured the hearts of the nation when he was photographed waving to his family from the care home’s window on VE Day last year. Nearly a year later he has finally been reunited with his daughter Ruth.

The pair were able to see each other in person, (and have even enjoyed a glass of non-alcoholic prosecco together!) thanks to a special visiting pod created in partnership with Oldham Council, Millfield care home and relatives of residents. However, their meeting on Wednesday 10 March was the first time they were able to hold hands in almost a year.

With both Eric fully vaccinated and Ruth recording a negative result from a Lateral Flow Test at the home, the two reunited at Millfield and caught up on everything they had missed since the last time they had been able to hold hands.

In further good news, with the new guidelines allowing residents to have one regular visitor a day, the Millfield visitation pod will be utilised for other family members and friends who are not a designated visitor to see loved ones. This means that Eric will be able to see more of his family face to face. Eric was delighted to see Ruth, saying:

It’s just lovely to hold Ruth’s hand again and it’s great to see her after all that’s happened! The team at Millfield have been amazing looking after all of us here but I can’t put into words what it means to see my family again and see everyone safe and sound!

Lisa Owens, Manager of Anchor’s Millfield, said:

It’s so wonderful to see Ruth and Eric reunited like this! It was a real privilege to see how many people wanted to salute Eric last year but seeing them reunited like this is really special. Everyone has gone through a tough year, but Eric’s always shown us that we don’t have to give up hope! I am over the moon that our residents can have more visitors and it’s a joy to be able to facilitate this. Thank you to Oldham Council for helping us with getting the visitor pod too!

Councillor Zahid Chauhan, Oldham Council cabinet Lead for Health and Social Care, said: 

It has become more apparent than ever how important it is that the quality of life and wellbeing of the residents of Oldham’s care homes are maintained which is why assisting to enable visiting wherever possible has been a main focus of ours. We appreciate that visiting is also of utmost importance to the families of those residents and here is a great example of their influence and determination in ensuring comfortable and meaningful visits can take place. Anchor Hanover, the families and ourselves have all worked together to facilitate this fantastic pod at Millfield Care Home for all to enjoy. Other Care Homes in Oldham are doing similar things to facilitate visits under the new guidelines.

The Friends of Millfield Group that comprises of a group of relatives of some of the people who live in the care home are delighted with the end result and a spokesperson for the group said:

We want to thank everyone who’s been helping us, and for working with us to find a solution.

Ruth said:

It’s lovely to see my dad again. It’s great for both me and my sister Christine to spend time with him properly after so long being unable to! It’s not been easy for any of us but dad has shown great courage and we, The Friends of Millfield, the care team have worked really well together to make our reunion happen!