A WOMAN who worked through World War Two had double reason to celebrate her 100th birthday last week – it was also the birthday of one of her two great-grandsons.

Mum of two, Gladys Milner marked her centenary with friends and family at her Woolaston home on Thursday (Feb 21), which she moved to from the north of England 56 years ago.

And she was able to share the good wishes with grandson Henry Harris, who turned 11 on the same day.

Gladys was born at Easington Colliery, County Durham, on February 21, 1919, to Tom and Sarah Cook and was one of three children, with older brother Bob and younger sister Edna.

Daughter Sheila said: “Mum attended school until 14, and then moved on her own to Harrogate where she worked in service and at the world famous Betty’s tea rooms.”

Gladys enjoyed attending dances in Harrogate while working in domestic service nearby and met her husband Col Milner, who was a carpentry instructor at the Army apprentice college.

“In the war, Mum worked in the Civil Service while Dad was in the Military Police overseas, and they married in December 1942 when he came home on leave,” added Sheila, who was born in 1947, six years before sister Helen.

The family moved to the Forest in 1963 when Col was transferred to Beachley Barracks.

Gladys worked in Tutshill Primary cookhouse and later in the medical department at Beachley.

“Mum and Dad both

supported St Andrew’s Church in Woolaston and Mum was an active member of the WI.”

Gladys has four grandchildren – Mark, Jane, Rachael and Jennifer –and two great-grandchildren Henry and William.

On the secret of her long life, Sheila said: “I think it’s in the genes – a lot of Mum’s relatives lived to a ripe old age. But Mum’s got a lot of spirit – she’s always liked to be involved in village life – you’d always find her getting stuck in, like doing the washing up after the village fete.

“In retirement, Mum and Dad really enjoyed travelling overseas and Mum has continued to live independently with family help since Dad passed away in 1998.

“She’s always taken great pleasure in her grandchildren, and in her two great-grandchildren, who both go to Woolaston Primary.

“She’s really enjoyed her birthday and was excited to get her card from the Queen.”