A great-great-grandmother from the Isle of Wight celebrated her 100th birthday earlier this month, with her family travelling from far and wide to celebrate her special day.
Barbara Bennett’s journey began on Cross Lane in Newport, where she spent her childhood before eventually settling in East Cowes.
A devoted mother, she raised four children and has been blessed with a large loving family, including 10 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
At the outbreak of World War II, duty called, and Barbara joined the war effort, working at Moreys, where she played a vital role in crafting wooden parts for RAF planes.
On April 27, 1944, Barbara exchanged vows with her husband Leonard at St Paul’s Church in Barton, just before he departed for wartime service as a dispatch rider with the Royal Signals.
Leonard’s bravery took him to the front lines, including the historic D-Day landings and the Battle of Arnhem in the Netherlands.
Now residing in assisted living at Homewight House in Newport, Barbara was surrounded by family on her special day on February 2, including her sister Marianne Brooke, who turned 91 the day after.
The afternoon was filled with laughter, memories and an abundance of food and cakes as loved ones travelled from far and wide, including two of her children from the mainland, to join in the celebration.
Among the many well-wishers were messages of congratulations from royalty, with a card from King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla.
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