They were separated 70 years ago because of her love for a bIack man – now witness their reunion today.
Despite facing significant challenges, Jake and Mary Jacobs celebrated their 70th year of marriage last year.
In 1940s Britain, Mary, a Caucasian woman, and Jake, an Afro-Caribbean man, resided in the same city, with Jake being among the few individuals of African descent in the area.
Mary’s affection for Jake led her to defy her father’s wishes, who vehemently opposed their union, threatening to disown her if she married Jake.
They crossed paths at a technical college where Jake was training for the Air Force and Mary was attending typing and shorthand classes. Jake, originally from Trinidad, had migrated to Britain during the war.
Mary, a resident of Lancashire at the time, was impressed by Jake’s knowledge of Shakespeare during their initial conversation.
Their relationship faced challenges due to societal prejudices. Despite this, they maintained correspondence even when Jake returned to Trinidad, and eventually, he returned to the UK in search of better job opportunities.
Mary’s family disapproved of their relationship, leading to Mary leaving home with minimal belongings. In 1948, they had a registrar office wedding without any relatives in attendance.
Mary and Jake encountered significant hardships early in their marriage, including financial struggles and societal rejection. Mary experienced discrimination while pregnant, and tragically, their first child was stillborn.
Despite the difficulties, Mary’s career as an assistant principal and Jake’s employment at the Post Office brought stability to their lives. However, societal biases persisted, with Mary feeling the need to clarify Jake’s race before introducing him to others.
Even though Mary reconciled with her father before his passing, he never fully accepted Jake.
Jake and Mary, now 89 and 84 years old respectively, reside in Solihull. Their enduring love was celebrated on their 70th wedding anniversary.
Jake reflects on the challenges he faced as a black man in 1940s Britain, including daily mistreatment and barriers to employment.
Despite the adversity, Jake and Mary remain deeply in love, serving as an inspiration to others. Their seven-decade-long marriage stands as a testament to their resilience and commitment to each other.
