RAF veteran Maureen has celebrated her 101st birthday with friends and family at Elstow Manor.
The inspirational centegenarian, who worked in physical training and as a wireless operator during World War Two, believes kindness and humour are key attributes to living a long, happy life.
Grandmother Maureen, known as Naura, said:
“If I was now talking to my younger self, I would say that it’s important to always be kind, but also keep a sense of humour, it will always get you through those hard times.”
Naura was born in Ireland and is one of six siblings.
As a wireless operator in the RAF during the Second World War, Naura was based in Harwell, near Didcot. She operated Morse code and was even told she was ‘excellent’ in doing this job.
Naura remembers intercepting a SOS signal in Devon of a plane being ditched with the rescue happening within three minutes thanks to her quick communications skills.
Naura met her husband when positioned at Cheltenham HQ at a forces-organised tea dance. He was a British pilot but was flying Cataliner cargo planes in Florida during the war.
After the war, she worked in Harrods mainly on the confectionary counter, where she remembers seeing Princess Anne and Margaret while they were young.
Granddaughter Zoe said:
“We are all so proud of Naura, and she always makes us laugh with her cheeky sense of humour.”
