A WOMAN who can remember both world wars celebrated her 100th birthday yesterday.

Joan Oliver, nee Pope, spent the day with her family, who had travelled from as far away as New Zealand and Afghanistan to mark her birthday.

‘I’m bit overwhelmed by it,’ she said.

She was born in Canterbury, Kent, on New Year’s Day 1913. Her father was a china and glass seller, but joined the military in the First World War. Mrs Oliver was only a small child, but can remember officers being billeted at her home and has fond memories of a decorated Christmas tree.

‘It was wonderful,’ she said. ‘It was decorated with tin cans, which the officers must have got from the canteen.’