Moresby woman celebrates 100th birthday after long life

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 06:08 · Archive

Lilian Clarke from Moresby turns 100 on 28 October, having lived independently throughout her life.

Lilian Clarke from Moresby celebrates her 100th birthday on 28 October, having lived independently in her own bungalow throughout her life. Born in Pica on 28 October 1926, she moved to Moresby when she was 13 as her father, a miner, relocated to Walkmill Pit.

During the Second World War, Clarke remembers hearing German planes flying overhead whilst in bed. The planes were heading to Barrow, and she recalls one night hearing an engine cut out before an explosion as a bomb struck Workington steelworks. She noted the distinctive sound: 'The German [engines] had a different tone to ours. You knew they were Germans.' Two of her friends went to Carlisle to join the Women's Auxiliary Air Force, but Clarke, not yet 18, could only accompany them and had to stand outside as they enrolled.

Clarke worked at Whitehaven's Beehive department store until it closed in 1981, then moved to Mackays where she worked as manager until retiring at 67. She left after management decided the store must open on Good Friday, saying: 'We opened on Good Friday, were closed on the Monday. On the Tuesday, I went back and told them I'm retiring, and I said goodbye to King Street.' She met her husband Cyril dancing at The Empress on Duke Street.

How it is being reported

• Woman who has 'seen every Prime Minister since Churchill come and go' turns 100Moresby woman Lilian Clarke turns 100 on October 28, celebrating a life of independence, family and work at Whitehaven’s Beehive and Mackays stores.News & Star · 27 Oct, 05:00
• Woman who has 'seen every Prime Minister since Churchill come and go' turns 100Moresby woman Lilian Clarke turns 100 on October 28, celebrating a life of independence, family and work at Whitehaven’s Beehive and Mackays stores.Whitehaven News · 27 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Lilian Clarke · Moresby · Beehive · Mackays · Whitehaven · Workington

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