Tipton care home resident celebrates 100th birthday

Joan Farmer was born in Levenshulme, Manchester in 1924.

To celebrate, Sundial Care Home in Tipton St John, where she now lives, threw Joan a birthday party.

The party featured a cake made by care assistant Sue Smith, as well as handmade birthday cards from the children at Tipton St John Primary School.

Joan also received a congratulatory birthday telegram from TM King Charles and Queen Camilla.

Joan, who has lived through World War II, said: "I'm very grateful to have made it to 100."

When asked about her secret to a long life, she replied: "Smiling lots".

Joan grew up in Manchester with her parents and older brother, and after earning a scholarship to Manchester High School, she moved to Stockport with her family.

There, she attended Stockport College to study bookkeeping, shorthand, and typing.

She began her career at McVitie & Price and later worked for a coal firm until the Manchester Blitz forced her to relocate.

At 18, Joan joined the Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) in 1942, completing an Army driving course and mastering saloon cars, ambulances, and ten-ton lorries.

She quickly advanced in the ATS, becoming a teleprinter operator in the Signals Corps at the London War Office.

Joan played a key role in wartime communications during critical moments like D-Day, helping to relay secret information from the front lines.

Despite the hardship of being separated from her beloved Reg, an RAF pilot, Joan remained committed to her duties.

They reunited in London and married shortly after the war ended on September 1, 1945.

Settling in Reddish, Stockport, they welcomed their son, Anthony, in September 1946, and daughter, Susan, in January 1950.

Joan received handmade birthday cards from pupils at Tipton St John Primary School (Image: Sundial Care Home)

Around this time, Joan received her war medal "in recognition of service in the War of 1939-1945".

Joan and her husband Reg enjoyed their early retirement in North Cornwall, with their daughter Susan and her growing family.

They helped run the site shop at a holiday park that Susan and her husband had recently purchased.

Joan has had the pleasure of welcoming four grandsons, three great-grandsons, and three great-granddaughters.

Now living at Sundial Care Home, Joan continues to inspire those around her.

Since her arrival, Joan has made many friends with fellow residents.

She enjoys participating in the home's activities, spending time in the garden, and her regular visits from Susan.