Rueben was born in Nechells on the 25th February 1914. He was one of 7 children born to John Alfred Marlow and his wife Annie. Ruben with brothers Alfred, Charlie and Fred and sisters Ada, Annie and May lived with their parents at 65 Holborn Hill, Nechells.
He left school at the age of 14 and had several jobs including that of a chemical mixer at Foseco (Foundry Services) Long Acre and East’s the wastepaper merchants in Addison Road before becoming a metal polisher at Walter Rowley’s Brass founders in Miller Street, Aston.
Rueben in his mid twenties
He met, courted then married Nellie Hardle on the 22nd August 1942 at St. Mary’s church, Aston and they lived at 1 back of 63 Holborn Hill.
Shortly after their daughter Sheila was born in 1944, the family moved to 65 Miller Street, Aston where their son Laurence was born in 1948.
Nell Hardle age 19
With the redevelopment of the area Rueben and Nellie were re-housed in 1966 to number 5 Stretton Road, Aston. Although he could never be called a heavy gambler, all through his life Rueben loved to put a bet on the horse and dog races.
In 1968 Rueben received a gold watch for his 25 years service working at Walter Rowley.
Rueben being presented with his gold watch
Rueben and Nellie moved yet again, this time to 32 Emscote Road, Witton where Sadly Nellie died on the 28th April, 1980.
Later Rueben moved into number 46 Wyrley Way, a bungalow on the Wyrley Birch Estate, Erdington. In the last few years of his life Rueben suffered from severe emphysema from which he sadly died on 20th May 1988.
Shortly after their daughter Sheila was born in 1944, the family moved to 65 Miller Street, Aston where their son Laurence was born in 1948.
In 1968 Rueben received a gold watch for his 25 years service working at Walter Rowley.