Gertrude Elizabeth Frances Earl, known as Betty has just celebrated her 100th birthday with a family party including her great great granddaughter at Brook House Nursing home in New Malden.

Betty was born in Teddington on 12th June 1917, the eldest of six children.  Betty left school at 14, following her father’s death, to work as a domestic in Hinchley Wood to financially help support her mother.  During the war she worked for the RAF firstly in the kitchens then as a telephonist.

She married Douglas in 1949.  They had 3 children, Charles, Rozel and Alan.  Betty and Douglas enjoyed growing their own fruit and veg. on their allotment.  Betty moved to Brook House in March this year and is a lively character who thoroughly enjoys life.

Article supplied by Mary-Jane Brown