Army veteran gets 100th birthday truck surprise

A woman was given a special trip down memory lane on her 100th birthday as she got a taste of her army days.

Kay White was given a surprise on Friday when she was driven in a vintage truck from World War Two at the RAF Harrowbeer Archives, Educational and Heritage Centre in Yelverton.

Ms White was a driver between March 1943 and July 1946 in the Auxiliary Territorial Service, a unit which Queen Elizabeth II - then Princess Elizabeth - also served in.

The 100-year-old said getting the chance to have another ride in a wartime vehicle was a "lovely surprise" on her birthday.

The trip was set up by Ms White's family alongside the owners of the venue, which also includes the Knightstone Tea Rooms.

"I couldn't believe it when I got here," Ms White - who was 18 when she joined the army - said.

"I thought, 'Oh my daughter's been at it again' because she always does these lovely surprises."

Ms White said she had fond memories of being in the army and loved being a driver.

She said: "I liked driving the Bedford lorries, oh I did love them they were lovely.

"I used to drive the men with full kits down to the station - I enjoyed it."

When asked what the secret to a long life was, Ms White said: "Hard work, honey and toast for breakfast, cheese and crisps for lunch, a cooked dinner at night, black tea and an apple a day always."

Her daughter Gina Bee, who helped set up the surprise, said it was wonderful to be able to give her mum something special on her 100th birthday.

"Her time when she served was something she talks about a lot and enjoyed a lot," Ms Bee said.

"She loved everything about it."

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