Portsmouth's Donald Kaminski has so many tales to tell on his 90th birthday

It’s not quite the big year he was hoping for. After a serious bout of surgery in February, postponed plans to go to France for his granddaughter’s wedding, his delayed big birthday bash and three months of lockdown, 2020 has not lived up to his expectations.

But now Donald is looking forward to seeing his family when lockdown is lifted so they can all celebrate properly.

His daughter, Karen, says: ‘We are all so proud of him. He’s a fighter.’

Donald's parents, Joseph Kaminski and Ethel Elthick – of Polish and Irish descent – raised their three children in Portsmouth. After Joseph died, Donald, his brother Roy and sister Pat lived with his mother and grandmother until the Second World War.

To escape the bombing of Portsmouth, the family were evacuated to the countryside at Titchfield which is where Donald met his future wife, Margaret Mary Bowring. After they both left school at 14, they worked together at the tanneries.

Although Donald moved home to Portsmouth with his family, he didn’t let distance get in the way of him meeting Margaret. He became a regular on the Gosport Ferry as he visited her every opportunity he could, and Margaret travelled to the Savoy Ballroom, Southsea, to dance the night away with him at weekends.

Donald laughs as he recalls the story of when he kissed Margaret in an alleyway. He got questioned by a police officer and asked to move on.

From 1948-1950, Donald completed his national service in Hong Kong. After he got over the seasickness while he was onboard a ship for four weeks and initial homesickness, he says he enjoyed his experience abroad.

During his time away, he wrote to Margaret every week and the couple kept every letter to each other. After he got back in the May of 1950, the couple tied the knot at Holy Rood Church, Stubbington, on December 23. They were married for 66 years until Margaret's death in 2017.

After his national service, Donald worked as a lorry driver for Henry Jones. He started playing football for the company too and eventually became their football manager. One of Donald’s proudest football moments is playing at Fratton Park and today, he is still part of the FA Committee.

Donald and Margaret had four girls – Lorraine in 1955, Donna in 1960, Karen three years later and Sam, who sadly died shortly after she was born.

After Donna emigrated to Australia, Donald and Margaret enjoyed several holidays down under before they settled in Portsmouth again.

Donald, who has eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, says he is proud to be from Portsmouth and is looking forward to belated birthday celebrations.

Karen, who says her dad Donald is a big Only Fools and Horses fan, adds: ‘Bonjour, welcome to my amazing dad. Ninety years of life in Portsmouth, we are all so very proud of you. Love you lots our legend Dad Don Waun, au revoir.’