A LADY who was born a little before the Christmas truce on the Western Front has just celebrated her 104th birthday.

Mrs Joan Wells, who now lives at Eryl Fryn care home in Llandudno, enjoyed her birthday with two parties, one in the care home and another at her son and daughter in law’s home nearby.

Her son Bill said: “She thoroughly enjoyed both parties, particularly the chocolate cake and champagne we had at the family party in our home.

“She puts down her longevity to playing gold, and walking a great deal.

"She was born in, and lived most of her life in Sheffield until in 2017, my wife and I retired and moved to Llandudno to be close to my wife’s parents in Abergele, and she came along as well."

Mrs Wells attended Sheffield Girls High School and then the University of Sheffield, taking a BA in French and Latin, an MA in Education and qualified as a teacher. She taught French for a couple of years at Doncaster High School until she married in December 1939 - married women were not allowed to teach at that period.

Her husband, Chris was also from Sheffield. He qualified as a doctor at Sheffield University and served with the RAMC throughout the War, in Iceland, North Africa, Italy and Germany. He was awarded the MBE and later the OBE. He died in 1993.

They had three sons, two grand daughters and a grand son.

Mrs Wells did not return to teaching after the War but was a full-time housewife looking after the children and supporting her husband in his work as a busy GP. She was a keen golfer, playing until she was 80, and bridge player, playing until her early 90’s.

Bill added: “When I proposed the move to North Wales, she was absolutely fine about it and said she was ready for a change.

"With the help of some of the staff at Eryl Fryn, she had a go at learning some Welsh but this has not really been possible due to her serious problems with hearing and eyesight.”