Ethel Caterham, the last remaining Edwardian and the world’s oldest living person, celebrated her 116th birthday on Thursday.
She was born on August 21, 1909 in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, when Herbert Asquith was prime minister, Beatrix Potter had just published the story of the Flopsy rabbits and one of the best -selling songs was Shine on Harvest Moon.
Caterham is the last surviving subject of Edward VII, who died on 6 May 1910. She was born five years before the start of the First World War, the second youngest of eight brothers and sisters.
The Edwardian era was described by the American writer Samuel Hynes as a “relaxed time in which women wore and did not vote, when the rich were not ashamed of living strikingly, and the sun never underwent on the British flag”.
Caterham became the oldest living person in April after the death of sister Inah Canabarro Lucas, a Brazilian nun, on 116.
She told the BBC in 2020 that she took “everything in my pass, the highlights and lows”. She said, “I listen and do what I like.”
She will celebrate her birthday in the nursing home in Lightwater, Surrey, where she lives and will take the day “at her own pace” surrounded by her family.
She has been a widow for almost half a century after the death of her husband, Norman, in 1976. According to the Gerontology Research Group, she met Norman, a major in the British army, during a dinner in 1931. They were stationed in Hong Kong and Gibraltar and had two children.
A spokesperson for her care home said: “Ethel and her family are so grateful for all the friendly messages and interest that are shown to her while she is celebrating her 116th birthday this year.
“Ethel has again chosen not to give interviews, and gives the preference to spend the day quietly with her family, so that she can enjoy it at her own pace. The king is perhaps her only concession, understandable. Thanks again for your friendly wishes on this special day.”
Last year King Charles Caterham sent a card on the occasion of her 115th birthday.
The title of the oldest person ever is held by Jeanne Calmment, a French woman who lived up to 122 years and 164 days, according to Guinness World Records.
What happened in August 1909?
Herbert Henry Asquith was the liberal prime minister of the UK and Edward VII was king.
The first state pensions were paid after the introduction of the old -age pens onion law.
The Water Lilies series of Claude Monet was just on display at an exhibition in Paris.
General Electric patented the electric toaster invented by Frank Shailor.
Bulgaria was about to explain independence of the Ottoman Empire.
Manchester United had won the first of their FA Cup victories by beating Bristol City.
Arthur Gore was the ruling Wimbledon champion of the men of 41 years -he remains the oldest winner of the men’s tournament.
The future Matinee idol Errol Flynn was two months old.
The first international flying show took place in Reims, France.
Selfridges were just opened in Oxford Street in London.
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