Family gather from around world to celebrate birthday

Mrs Hawtree, who was born in Sunningdale, Berkshire, lives at the Aldersmead Nursing Home in Bognor Regis.

Wendy, her great-granddaughter, and her great-great-granddaughter Catrina travelled from Portugal, while her grandson Brian travelled from the south of France.

Her granddaughter Sue lives a little closer to home, travelling from Poole in Dorset.

Mrs Hawtree received cards from family members who have recently been traced in America and Canada.

On her birthday, she enjoyed several glasses of champagne and had a special cake made by the chef at her home.

She was also sent a second birthday card by the Queen.

Born on September 23, 1903, Mrs Hawtree left school aged 13 or 14, and started work as an apprentice in a draper's shop in Windsor called Creakes.

The shop was in Peascod Street, which is also where she lived at the time.

After completing her apprenticeship, she met and married Alf Hawtree when he returned from the first world war.

Their first and only child, Barbara, was born in 1923 when the couple moved to a flat in Upcroft, Windsor.

When Mr Hawtree retired, they moved to a bungalow in Chichester Way, Selsey.

Barbara and her husband George Hickmore moved to Felpham in Bognor Regis in 1972 when they moved in with their parents and had a self-contained flat upstairs from them.

Six years later, Mrs Hawtree's husband passed away.

At the age of 76 she began travelling with her daughter and son-in-law, exploring places such as Italy, Tunisia, Malta, and her favourite place at her grandson's home in the south of France.

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