103-year-old twins still as close as ever

(Photo: doriana s)

Glenys Thomas and Florence Davies have been inseperable most of their lives, and now that they are 103 years old, the world's oldest twins are still as close as ever and find that they are happiest every time they are together.

The two are currently living in the Abermill Care Home in Caerphilly, Wales, where they have adjoining rooms. They were born on November 22, 1911, and between them have five children, 12 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.

Glenys' daughter Gwenda Stacey told The Daily Mail that the twins managed to live a long life because they found happiness even in the simplest things. "They have lived a simple life. Neither Mam or Aunty Flo can drive. They never went abroad. But they were always happiest together," said Gwenda.

Gwenda shared how her mother would often rave about the "good old days" when community and church always came first. "The whole family's social life was centred around their church and their community. You had to stay local in those days because it was so hard to get around," she explained.

The twins' parents were very strict and they were not allowed to go dancing or courting during their teenage years. Their father was a miner who was good with his hands so the twins received a lot of toys from him, while their mother would make their own clothes. Growing up, the two even got jobs cleaning the homes of well-off people. 

"They led respectful and God-fearing lives - their parents were very religious," said Gwenda.

Glenys was the first to leave home in 1932 when she married a miner, William Scrivens, who died at age 67. They adopted Gwenda a few years into their marriage when they learned they couldn't conceive a child.

Meanwhile, Florence remained at home for two more years until she married John Davies, who passed away when he was 48.

"The twins missed each other terribly when they moved out of the family home," recalled Gwenda. "They had shared a room until my mam left to get married. Then Aunty Flo followed suit and bought a house next door to her sister."

After their husbands passed away, the twins reunited and decided to raise their families together. Glenys and Florence enjoyed the rest of their lives cooking together, shopping, and socialising until they moved to the Abermill Care Home, where they still constantly seek each other's company.