Hartlepool Second World War veteran aged 96 marks missed 21st birthday during VE Day celebrations

Isabella Crilley, a resident of Queens Meadow Care Home and WW2 Women’s Royal Air Force veteran with a cake to mark her 21st birthday as she was unable to mark the occasion in 1944 due to the war.

Isabella Crilley, 96, enjoyed a party at Queens Meadow Care Home, on Stockton Road, alongside her fellow residents.

The party was extra special for Isabella as staff also decided to mark her 21 st birthday – having been unable to do so in 1944 due to the war.

Isabella served in the Women’s Royal Air Force during the war, stationed at Partington, near Manchester, where she met her future husband Charles Crilley, who was also in the RAF.

After the War ended, Isabella and Charles had three children, Ronnie, Christine and Angela, and lived in Hartlepool.

Isabella moved into Queens Meadow Care Home in November 2018.

Home manager Julie Armstrong said: “Everyone at Queens Meadow Care Home was looking forward to commemorating the 75th anniversary of VE Day along with the rest of the country.

“Isabella was just 16 when the War broke out but later joined the Women’s Royal Air Force and was in service during her 21st birthday, so she wasn’t able to celebrate.

“When we learned about this, the kitchen staff decided to bake her a cake with candles and we all sang her a happy birthday.

“Everyone also enjoyed watching the re-broadcast of Winston Churchill’s speech as well as the Queen’s address to the nation.”

Queens Meadow is part of the Hill Care Group.

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