SALISBURY resident Ruth Dicksee has celebrated her 103rd birthday in style – and points to a glass of sherry as a clue to her longevity.

Ruth, believed to be one of the oldest people in the country, enjoyed a party with friends and family at her home, the Braemar Lodge care home.

The former World War Two Sergeant in the Women’s Royal Air Force was the centre of attention as she enjoyed presents, cards and a giant balloon bearing the number 103 in gold letters being brought to her room.

The centenarian is currently the oldest resident at the Colten Care home, in Stratford Road.

Companionship Team leader, Graham Ballard, said: “Ruth absolutely loved the balloon and her eyes were wide with excitement as a beautiful cake was brought in with family and staff singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to her. The fun was completed with a nice glass of chilled champagne.”

Ruth with her special balloon!

Born in Hampstead, London, in early January 1922, Ruth entered a Britain still recovering from the havoc of the First World War and the aftermath of the Spanish flu global pandemic.

Women had only been able to vote for four years, cinemas showed silent films and horse-drawn carts were still a common sight on the road.

It was well before the dawn of black and white television and the most popular children’s games tended to be spinning tops, marbles and tiddlywinks.

She was four years old at the time of the General Strike in 1926 and a teenager when World War Two broke out in 1939.

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However, during the war, she spent four years in the Women’s Royal Air Force, rising to the rank of Sergeant and serving in the operations room at North Weald Airfield in Essex, one of the main fighter bases used for the Battle of Britain.

In civilian life she became a secretary and was an ‘unofficial nanny’ to the children of cousins in her family.

Ruth also travelled extensively in Europe and eventually retired to live in Coombe Bissett.

She has memories of seeing the funeral procession of King George VI in London in February 1952 and the Coronation parade for Queen Elizabeth II the following year.

Graham added: “When asked for her secret of a long life, Ruth pointed to her daily glass of sherry on the table. Perhaps that’s a clue.”