Bo’ness man hits his century in Canada

Robert Muir was born in Bo’ness on November 28, 1920, but now lives 25 miles east of Toronto. He has very fond memories of Bo’ness and has travelled back many times to see friends and family since making the move.

Robert grew up in Miller Pit and moved to 85 Linlithgow Road in 1939 with his family. He attended Grange School and spent two years at the Academy.

Robert is a WWII veteran, who served with the RAF in North Africa. He was also stationed in Tel-Aviv, Greece, Sicily and Cyprus from 1943-45.

His daughter, Margaret Muir, got in touch after reading our article about Robert’s friend Alex McIntosh claiming to be the oldest man in town.

She said: “At least once a month, him and Alex catch up on the phone and when possible we FaceTime. Every time they talk it’s sheer joy to listen to them.

“For the past month our family in Bo’ness has been running around taking pictures with his face on a stick to make more memories.

“I asked him how he felt being 100. He answered with laughter ‘old and unbelievable’. He was amazed at the outpouring of birthday wishes. But because of Covid we were restricted to a small outdoor gathering for his birthday.

“He misses Bo’ness more for the memories and people, especially the loved ones gone.

“It has been 18 years this month since he was there, for a family Christmas. Unfortunately my mum was unable to travel after that trip.

“It has been four years since I was back to Bo’ness, in fact I had to cancel a trip this past summer due to Covid-19.”

Robert’s wife Ellen passed away just over two years ago at the age of 97. He had four brothers and two sisters. His youngest sister is in a home in Grangemouth. He has two daughters, who were born in Scotland, and one granddaughter. He has many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, great great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews all living in the Bo’ness area.