World War Two veteran celebrates 105th birthday

A World War Two veteran has celebrated her 105th birthday with friends, family and visitors from the RAF.

Ivy Meenan, who was born in Wolstanton, Staffordshire, served with the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) - the women's branch of the British Army - during the conflict, joining when she was 20 years old.

She was based in Cornwall, where she worked as a range finder with an anti-aircraft gun unit, helping to target enemy bombers.

More than 80 years later, she marked her special birthday on Monday with a party at Wilson Keys retirement home in Rugeley, where she is a resident.

Asked what her secret to old age was, she told BBC Midlands Today: "It's a mystery to me – living a good life and a happy marriage."

She added: "I tell you what I do a lot of.... sleeping. When I sit here by myself, I doze off."

Meenan was with the ATS for four years. She met her late husband Johnnie, who was serving for the RAF in Cornwall, at a dance in March 1942.

Speaking of how vital her role was, she said: "I was one of many, one of many. Strangely enough, although it was so sad, I enjoyed my time in the ATS."

She praised the Spitfire and the work of their pilots during the War, adding: "If it wasn't for the Spitfire, I don't know what we'd have done. It was a marvellous aircraft."

As well as receiving a visit from RAF officials, Meenan spent her birthday with other residents and with her family.

Resident Joyce Clark described her as "absolutely amazing", while another, Susan Miles, said she was a "joy to all who know her".

Meenan's son Peter said: "[She's] 105 and she's achieved such a lot. It's very strange to be approaching 80 and still have a mother who thinks you're adolescent."

Her niece Gillian Loader said the whole family were "proud, privileged and honoured" to have had her in their lives for so long.

"She just doesn't realise how special she is and we love her to bits," she added.

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