A FORMER resident of Hook has celebrated in style after turning 100 last week, recounting her memories of a life around the world serving in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force.

Yvonne Holmes, who now lives in Fleet, was stationed in North Africa, Sri Lanka and India during World War II as part of a glittering career in the air force. She had previously served in the fire brigade in her home of Fulham during the Blitz, but after that had finished, she says she was "a bit bored" and decided to enlist in the WAAF.

It's here where she managed to chase down childhood sweetheart John, who was her ice dancing partner during her teenage years. They were eventually married in 1945 at the Red Fort in New Delhi.

"I loved every minute of it, I'd go back if I could," she told the Gazette.

"I served up at the sharp end, let me tell you. I was a fighter plotter."

When asked what the job consisted of, she responded: "Top secret!"

Yvonne, who says she would always stay on top of the rules and regulations, says that she even kicked up a fuss to stay deployed when she was due to return to Blighty after three years.

She says she couldn't remember the news of the war ending in 1945, adding that in India, war carried on in effect until Christmas of 1945, when she was demobbed.

However, her 100th birthday celebrations were far from the front line, with a big party at the New Inn, Heckfield. It was here where she was reunited with a long-lost cousin, David.

Yvonne, who says her husband referred to her as a "survivor", says her secret to a long and healthy life was that she never dieted, saying she would eat "what I want, when I want".

n To find out more about the WAAF association, visit www.waafassociation.org.uk.