A centenarian credits her energy for life to an exploding V2 rocket - shrapnel from which has remained in her body since World War Two.

Dorothy Joan Dracass, known as Joan, turned 100 on September 19.

To mark the milestone, a party was held for her family and fellow residents at her home in Greenwood Court, Epsom, which was also attended by Epsom’s mayor Councillor Robert Foote.

Mother to Rosemary Westcott, 67, a senior manager at Epsom and St Helier hospital trust, and John Dracass, 70, a retired GP from Southampton, Mrs Dracass was born just after the start of WW1, during which her father served in the Royal Flying Corps.

She grew up in South London and attended Sydenham Girls School, of which she is one of the longest surviving ‘old girl’.

A keen tennis player in her youth, she started work in the Post Office Savings Bank in London at the age of 18.

Dr Dracass said: "Like many of her generation, she has seen huge changes in society and in technology during her lifetime, and has experienced two world wars."

She met her husband, William Dracass, known as Bill, at dancing lessons.  

Their engagement holiday in Devon was interrupted by the outbreak of WW2, but they married a year later, in 1940.

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"She experienced the Blitz firsthand, often making her way to work through London’s burning streets," Dr Dracass said.

"In 1943, she had her first child - mother and baby narrowly escaping death from both a doodlebug, V1, and a ballistic missile, V2.

"The former blew in the front door of her flat, breaking her arm and concussing her infant.

"The latter landed so closely, as she pushed her son’s pram on Blackheath, that she was showered with shrapnel, most of which remains in her body, and was rendered stone deaf in her left ear. 

"It was a miracle escape for both mother and baby.

"After the war, pregnant with her second child, she was widowed after only six years of marriage, her husband dying on the operating table during surgery at the age of 36.

"Devastated, but undeterred, she resolved to bring up her children single-handed, and went back to work in the civil service where she stayed until retirement at 65, in 1979, having seen her children through education, careers and marriage."

Dr Dracass said his mother moved to Epsom from her martial home in South East London in 2003, after 60 years, to be near her daughter and was one of the first residents of Greenwood Court, which provides sheltered and retirement housing for older people.

He added: "The resilience and determination she has shown throughout the many adversities of her life have undoubtedly played a part in her reaching her century.

"She has six grandchildren and nine great grandchildren, all of whom love her dearly.

"She has found great support from the many good friends she has made at Greenwood Court over the past 11 years.

"Still living independently, with the help of carers, she puts her longevity down to the energy she absorbed from the exploding V2 rocket. 

"That, and hard work all her life."

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