A Bermondsey dressmaker, who lost her husband during the war, has celebrated her 100th birthday.
Maud Smith marked the occasion with loved ones during a party at Bluegrove House care home, in Southwark Park Road, on Tuesday.
The centenarian has fond memories of growing up in Bermondsey, before she married and moved to East Dulwich.
“I love swimming and I used to swim in the open air pool in Southwark Park,” she said. “My doctor was Alfred Salter; I remember he always kissed the children goodbye on the forehead.”
Maud has one child, David, and two grandchildren, who all visited her on her birthday. “I only have one son because my husband was killed before my son was one year old,” she said.
“I was only married for three years when my husband, who was a glider pilot, lost his life during the war.”
Maud said her secret to longevity was to “keep yourself clean, eat sensibly, and treat others as you would like to be treated”.