For those who were curious, under HRH King Charles III, people turning 100 years old will continue to receive a telegram to celebrate the occasion.

Elsie Brown, currently residing at Whitchurch House in Whitchurch, turned 100 years old on December 12 and received her royal telegram from King Charles last Monday, in time for Christmas (December 19).

Born in London 1922, amongst five brothers and two sisters, Elsie left home after the blitz. She married aged 19 and, soon after, picked up her first job as a clerical book keeper.

She has also spent time in her career working on radar machines for ships, as well as Vaxal motors for Army lorries.

Elsie trained as a Spirella corsetiere. Corsets made by the Spirella Corset Company were made-to-measure.

Spirella products were never sold in shops, all of their foundation garments were fitted by corsetieres who were trained at the main manufacturing centre Letchworth. Completion of the training gave the newly fledged corsetiere the coveted certificate, and a host of responsibilities to her new employer.

She loves wild life and cooking, has had two sons, and has a remaining brother in Australia.

Countless hours of Elsie’s time has been dedicated to the WI and the church.

Elsie is following her mother’s lead, who lived until she was an impressive 110 years of age.

She said: “Be honest, be kind and clean, don’t give up, keep 
going.”