105-year-old woman celebrates milestone birthday at James Terry Court

Above: Resident Pat Hamilton during one of her exercise sessions at James Terry Court, in South Croydon. 

Residents, staff and family members at James Terry Court, in South Croydon, have come together to celebrate a very special milestone: a much-loved resident, Marjorie Pat Hamilton, has just turned 105.

Pat was born in Tulse Hill, between Brixton and Streatham, in 1920, only two years after the end of the First World War. She recalls:

My father saved his Army wages after the War and bought our family home. I lived there until I was 13, when he sadly passed away. Life changed after that, but we always stayed close as a family.

At around 19 years old, Pat was called up to support the Second World War effort. She remembers being given three options: join the ambulance service, work in the gas service, or take a role in an ammunitions factory. “I tried the gas service for one day,” she laughs. “Just one! I knew straight away I would never do that again.” Instead, she joined the ambulance service as a driver and says she found the work meaningful.

Pat Hamilton when she was 22 years old, in 1942.

Pat married her husband, Mac, in 1941, and their daughter Brenda was born in 1944. Although she stopped working after she married, Pat’s life was full of adventure, moving 23 times due to Mac’s career. One of her fondest memories is their time living in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She says:

I taught English and etiquette to children. I always say it was like being Anna in The King and I! It was wonderful.

When asked about the secret to reaching 105, Pat shrugs gently. She says:

There isn’t one. I was born at just two and a half pounds, and my twin sister sadly died at birth. I’ve just been very lucky.

Pat says she is very happy at James Terry Court. “The staff here are lovely,” she smiles. “They’re always on hand to help, and it really feels like home.”

Resident Pat hangs out with staff member Delcio at James Terry Court.

To celebrate her remarkable birthday, Pat’s family have flown in from America, New Zealand and Australia. James Terry Court hosted a party in the lounge, complete with a singer for all to enjoy together.

[Summary: Residents, staff and family members at James Terry Court, in South Croydon, gathered to celebrate the 105th birthday of Pat Hamilton, a much-loved resident with an extraordinary life story spanning from wartime service to global travels. Surrounded by loved ones who flew in from across the world, Pat marked her remarkable milestone with a joyful celebration hosted by the care home.]