A Sandbach woman who worked as a firewatcher during World War II has celebrated her 100th birthday at her family home.
Fire-watching duty became compulsory at the end of 1940. People had to monitor the fall of incendiary bombs and pass on news of any fires that had broken out to the national fire service. But Doris Bailey told the “Chronicle” that at the tender age of 18 the role had frightened her.
The owners of factories and large buildings were responsible for providing firewatchers and while employed in an administrative role at the Zan works at Wheelock, Sandbach, Mrs Bailey said when it was her turn to look out, she would “sneak out,” count to 200 and race back inside.
“You were supposed to do a walk around the building,” she laughed, wincing at the thought of it.
From Zan the centenarian, who wore a fancy tiara and a glittery sash to honour her special day on Sunday, moved to Bengers pharmaceutical works where she worked while her only daughter Jacqueline Allcock, now aged 74, was a small child.
The fashion-loving great-granny was then employed at Elizabeth Anne fashion on Congleton Road where she was left in sole charge of the shop after the owners retired to the Cotswolds.
After the business changed hands, it became Jean Abbott Fashions and Mrs Brown regularly travelled to the fashion houses in Manchester and London to pick out items to be sold.
She worked there until she retired and said she loved sewing and clothes.
“I made Jackie’s wedding dress out of French lace,” she said, and pointed excitedly to a black and white framed photograph next to her armchair of her daughter and son-in-law John Allcock, (72), on their wedding day.
Mrs Allcock agreed that her mum had a passion for style and said: “She made all her clothes when I was little. And she made clothes for my daughter. When Cathy was born, she created little dresses with smocking on them.”
Mrs Allcock laughed when she recalled being ticked off a month ago when her mum was in hospital and had asked her to fetch her a cardigan.
“She had a blue dress on, so I chose her a pink cardigan, but she asked me why I had brought that for her as she wanted a blue cardigan to go with the blue dress!” she laughed.
The 100-year-old who still has a sharp sense of humour was born in Green Street, Sandbach to Louisa and John Hulme. She had three older brothers, Ernest, Roy and Jack.
Recalling her happiest and most treasured memory, she said it was getting married to Bert Isaac Bailey who she met aged 16 at Sandbach Dancehall. At the time, she said she was “going with a lad called Rory”.
“Bert was a little older than me and he said to Rory, ‘You can clear off,’ and we danced to the waltz,” she chuckled and her daughter Mrs Allcock, grandson Paul Allcock, and son-in-law Paul Alcock roared with laughter on overhearing the tale.
The couple were married for 42 years and lived at Hollyville, Newfield Street, Sandbach, which was the family home. In 1975, they bought a bungalow, where Mrs Bailey still resides.
The Sandbach resident enjoys visits once or twice a day from daughter Mrs Allcock, who lives nearby. She has carers visiting four times a day to help look after her.
Her favourite meal is fish, chips and mushy peas.
Her late husband was an army sergeant and worked as a railway police officer and as a signal and telegraph engineer after he was discharged from the military.
“He said the policeman’s hat ruined his hair,” giggled Mrs Bailey.
Sadly, sorrow struck when Mr Bailey passed away from a heart attack, aged 64.
Mrs Bailey explained the secret to their long marriage was that they “always” loved, comforted and “kept faith” in one another.
The birthday girl’s home was decorated in powder pink balloons and bunting, inside and out, and an attractive assortment of sandwiches, cake and pork pies was spread over two rooms. Old and new photographs had been lovingly arranged on the windows by granddaughter Catherine Alcock.
Great granddaughter Poppy, (11), told the “Chronicle” she was happy her grandma had reached 100 and said what she was most looking forward to about the day was making her great-granny smile.
Grandson Paul Allcock, (41), who’d donned a suit and bow tie especially for the “monumental day” said he found it “astounding” that his grandmother had lived for such a long time and contemplated how much history she must have witnessed.
Mrs Bailey said she felt “proud” to receive a card and warm wishes from King Charles III and Camilla, Queen consort.
Reminiscing about the happiest times spent with her mum and husband, Mrs Allcock called to mind a trip to Anglesey one Boxing Day.
“We walked along the beach and came to a river. We all waded through, but my mum couldn’t get across, so he (Mrs Allcock’s husband) gave her a piggyback and the pair of them fell in! She was in her 60s then. We’ve always been close and had good fun,” she added.
On asking her what she made of the world today, Mrs Bailey replied: “It’s a marvellous place. I just wish people would look after it.”
