Ethel 'amazed' at her haul of 107th-birthday cards

2 hours ago

Holly PhillipsEast Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

News image — Ethel Smith is marking her big day in Bourne

Wood Grange Care Home A woman sitting in a tartan armchair, smiling at the camera. She is wearing a white, collared blouse and clear-framed glasses. She has fine grey hair tied back. — Ethel Smith is marking her big day in Bourne

A 107-year-old veteran has received more than 260 birthday cards after her care home appealed for people to send 107 cards to mark her milestone.

Ethel Smith is spending Thursday with family and friends by having a party at Wood Grange Care Home, in Bourne, Lincolnshire.

The care home's Katya Petrova said Ethel was "amazed" by the number of cards she had received – and they expected more to arrive.

"We're delighted to be celebrating a truly remarkable woman as she reaches this amazing milestone," she said.

Ethel, originally from Doncaster, moved to London at 18 before joining the Women's Royal Air Force in 1940, where she served as a staff sergeant based on the South Coast.

Supplied A black and white photo of Ethel Smith in military uniform. She has short, curly dark hair and is smiling at the camera. — Ethel served in the Women's Royal Air Force

Ethel settled in Bourne with her husband James after World War Two, and had two children, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

"Ethel is such a popular resident who always has an interesting tale to tell, and we look forward to hearing many more," Petrova said.

At the "very lively" party, Ethel was in her armchair surrounded by cake, cards and presents, and a singer was on hand to perform some World War Two songs.

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