Salisbury woman marks 103rd birthday
Ruth Dicksee was born in London in 1922
A former World War II Royal Air Force Sergeant has marked her 103rd birthday in Salisbury.
Ruth Dicksee celebrated the big day at the Braemar Lodge care home with friends, family and staff.
Cards, presents and a giant balloon with '103' written on gold letters were all brought to her room to kickstart the celebrations.
"It's big, isn't it!" she said.
Ruth is the oldest resident at the Stratford Road site.
Companionship Team Leader Graham Ballard said: “Ruth absolutely loved the balloon and her eyes were wide with excitement as a beautiful cake was brought in with family and staff singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to her. The fun was completed with a nice glass of chilled champagne.”
Ruth was born in London in January 1922, when silent films were shown in cinema's and horsedrawn carts were still a common sight.
She spent four years in the Women's Royal Air Force, rising to the rank of Sergeant and served in the operations room at North Weald Airfield in Essex, one of the main fighter bases used for the Battle of Britain.
Ruth also travelled extensively in Europe and before retiring to live in Coombe Bissett near Salisbury.
She has told carers at Braemar Lodge of her personal memories of seeing the funeral procession of King George VI in London in February 1952 and the Coronation parade for Queen Elizabeth II the following year.
Graham added: “When asked for her secret of a long life, Ruth pointed to her daily glass of sherry on the table. Perhaps that’s a clue!”