Three cheers as the Cliff triplets hit 60

David, Michael and Roger were the first non-identical triplets to be born at the former Hallam Hospital in West Bromwich, now known as Sandwell General.

As mascots of the Coseley Crusader cricket team and special guests at the official opening of the first three-screen cinema in Sutton Coldfield in 1972, the three have certainly made their mark in the area.

They arrived at a time when triplets rarely survived and before fertility treatment made multiple births more common.

So widespread was their fame that their mother Gertrude received a telegram from King George VI when they were born congratulating her on the birth.

David says: "We were born a month premature. They didn't think we would survive and it was the first year of the NHS.

"The nurse named us in alphabetical order as we arrived."

David was born first at 10.20pm on July 28, followed by Michael at 10.40pm and Roger on the hour.

He adds: "We were the first male triplets to be born at the hospital. The next day girl triplets were born."

The Cliffs' uncle Arthur Brookes, who worked for Austins, had a green pram specially made for the three out of car parts as triple prams did not exist in those days.

The boys spent their cramped but lively childhood living over a tobacconist's and newsagent shop in Dudley Port, which their mother and father Kenneth ran.

Little sister Pauline came along two years later and, incredibly, the family of six shared a bedroom.

After moving to Arthur Road in Tipton the triplets attended Manor Road Infants, Burnt Tree Junior and later Park Lane High School.

Although David passed the 11 plus exam he was not allowed to go to grammar school and be split from his siblings.

The brothers have all gone on to be successful in their chosen careers.

Michael, who is now living in Wall Heath, worked for Barclays Bank and then the NHS before becoming a housing services support manager for Dudley Council 30 years ago.

Roger, who now lives in Sedgley, has chalked up 38 years as a maths and science teacher at Ellowes Hall Sports College in Lower Gornal, where he is also head of house.

And David is a managing director of a manufacturing company in Lichfield, living in Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield, with his wife and three children. The two other brothers are also married and have two children each.

Pauline says it is a strange coincidence that all three of her triplet Leo brothers married women with the star sign Capricorn. "Even though we're not identical there's still a strong bond between us," says David. "We never needed anyone else to play with while we were growing up." The Cliff triplets are unable to celebrate their milestone birthday together as they will all be on separate holidays abroad. But they will be catching up to reminisce on their return.

* Do you know the girl triplets born at Hallam Hospital in 1949? Contact our newsdesk on 01902 319410 or email newsdesk@expressandstar.co.uk