A RETIRED Chippenham landlady was delighted to celebrate her 100th birthday surrounded by loved ones to mark her century.

Jeannie Dugdale, who was born in Glasgow on October 1 1919, started her career as a clothes buyer before joining the army as a member of the Auxiliary Territorial Service at the beginning of World War Two.

During her time in the army, Jeannie worked as a physical training instructor and later a HGV driver, where she spent her time moving battle tanks across the country in preparation for the Allied invasion of Europe.

After the end of the war, Jeannie left the army and married her husband Edgar, a Metropolitan Police officer, in 1946. The couple went on to have three sons, as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Once Edgar retired from the police force, he and Jeannie set off on a new venture as landlord and landlady of The Dumb Post Inn in Calne, before also taking over the Royal Oak on London Road in Chippenham.

Jeannie now lives at HC-One’s Avon Court care home, which she moved into in 2011. A much-loved member of the care home’s family, Jeannie was delighted to be thrown a fantastic 100th birthday party by staff at the home.

Family and friends joined Jeannie for the special occasion as she opened her treasured gifts, cards and even a 100th birthday telegram from Queen Elizabeth.

Jeannie said: “It was such a lovely surprise to see all my family together at the same time.”

Steven Bryce-Murray, home manager at Avon Court, said: “At HC-One, we are committed to celebrating our residents’ special occasions in the best and most memorable way possible.

“Jeannie is an amazing lady and such an inspiration to the whole team at Avon Court, as well as her fellow residents. It was amazing to see her smiling from ear to ear as she celebrated her 100th birthday with her family and friends.”