It was a joy to help one of our much-loved clients to celebrate their 100th Birthday.
Born in London in 1923 she grew up in a very different world.
She was evacuated to Reading in her teens as war was declared, and after graduation, she returned to London just as the Blitz began. This young woman navigated her way across London as it was falling to the ground, ablaze.
Her subsequent involvement during those war years was to work for Montgomery’s secret D-day planning operation in Hammersmith – HQ 21 Army Group and then to go on to volunteer in France just after her 21st Birthday, to rebuild services and transport links.
Having survived the war, Sylvia met her husband, had 2 sons, and travelled the world in support of her husband’s career as a consultant engineer.
She is also a celebrated author, as at 89 years old, Sylvia wrote a book about her wartime experiences in France, Belgium, and Germany.
This woman risked so much in her earlier life staying with the French Resistance, that in 2016 she was awarded the Legion D’Honneur, the highest French decoration, by the President, for her involvement in the liberation of France.
Sylvia has since been interviewed by both tv and radio, so not only is she a star in our eyes, but also a star to many others, who hear of her wartime adventures.
Her special birthday was shared with neighbours and family, so we felt very lucky to be a part of this too.