A WAR veteran has marked her 102nd birthday with a special visit from RAF personnel who donned their uniforms to present her flowers and a card. 

Pauline Penrose, who lived in Southend for more than three decades, was joined by her family on Wednesday to celebrate the momentous occasion. 

After working for the RAF during the Second World War in fighter stations where she plotted positions of the country’s planes and those of the enemy, it was fitting for the commanding officer of number 614 County of Glamorgan squadron Olly Walker to also join her. 

Echo: Guest - wing commander Olly Walker presenting Pauline with a floral arrangementGuest - wing commander Olly Walker presenting Pauline with a floral arrangement (Image: Tivyside Advertiser)

Her youngest son Rod, 74, who lived with his mum in Dowsett Avenue, now known as Queensway, said: “Mum has many fond memories of her time in the RAF, and it was wonderful to see wing commander Walker there with colleagues from his squadron.”

Ms Penrose’s eldest boy Chris, 76, who lives in Woodgrange Drive, Southend, could not make the trip due to being in hospital, but has paid tribute to his “loving mum”.

He added: “From what the family has told me, she adored the visit from the RAF squadron and was incredibly flattered by it.

Echo: Flattered - Pauline with her floral arrangement, alongside a picture of her in the RAFFlattered - Pauline with her floral arrangement, alongside a picture of her in the RAF (Image: Sargent Cathy Sharples)

“I was devastated that I couldn’t make it down to Wales for the occasion, but my mum deserved every piece of the fuss.

“She has always put her family first and has always been there for us.

“Ron and I are so proud to call her mum, and she’s a true inspiration.”

The 102-year-old lived in Southend from 1949 to the mid-80s before moving to West Wales.

She served in the RAF during the Second World War as a plotter. Pauline and others were tasked with tracking enemy aircraft approaching the British coast so the RAF could be scrambled to attack them.

Echo: History - Pauline in her RAF uniform during wartimeHistory - Pauline in her RAF uniform during wartime (Image: WAAF)


Wing commander Walker said: “It’s been a real honour and an absolute privilege to come here today and see Pauline on her special day.

“We owe such a debt of gratitude to her for her service in the RAF during the war and I’m really thrilled that we were able to see her to mark her 102nd birthday.”