A WOMAN who has strong links with Petersfield, Buriton and Sheet has been celebrating her 100th birthday.

She played some key roles during the Second World War in the town and will be remembered by many who were members of the same community groups in which she was involved.

Elsie Brewer, nee Pretty, became a centenarian last Wednesday, surrounded by family, friends, residents and staff at Ashley House in Bordon - the care home where she is living.

A card from the Queen and a telegram from the Department for Work and Pensions were presented to her by the Whitehill and Bordon mayor, Colin Leach.

Elsie was born on June 6, 1918, in Buriton and was the youngest child of seven to Ada and Fred Pretty, who lived at Lawn View in North Lane in the village.

She attended Buriton School and Elsie had various jobs, including at The Red Lion in Petersfield where she worked her way up to head chambermaid and waitress, and at the Itshide Rubber Factory and Petersfield Laundry.

Terry Hyde, a relative of Elsie’s, said: "She loved that job and always loved ironing - she would still do it today if only she could stand for long enough."

Elsie met the love of her life, Fred Brewer, on a double date - she didn’t think much of hers but really liked her friend’s date. She went on to marry Fred at the outbreak of war in 1939 at St Mary’s Church in Buriton.

During the war, Elsie worked at the Admiralty and was an air raid warden. She received a defence of the realm medal for her service, which is proudly displayed on her wall at Ashley House.

During the Second World War she lived in Sussex Road, Petersfield, and when her husband came home from Belgium they moved into Little Orchard in Pullens Lane in Sheet, where she lived for 65 years.

Elsie was a member of Sheet Women’s Institute and she was a member of Sheet Choir. Before moving to Bordon she lived in Barham Road, Petersfield, next to her sister Margaret.