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'Debt of gratitude' to Wren Thelma on her 101st

Steve Beech & Isaac Ashe
BBC News, East Midlands
BBC A young girl is in the arms of a woman, standing behind an elderly lady dressed in blue. They are all smiling at the camera.BBC
A surprise party was held for Thelma Redman as she turned 101

A World War Two Navy veteran with more than a few nautical miles on the clock said it was "very nice" to be surprised with a celebration on her 101st birthday.

Thelma Redman, from Nottinghamshire, had been expecting a low-key event on Sunday to mark her milestone.

But she was surprised by family, friends and her village Farnsfield's branch of the Royal British Legion, to honour her for all her service on and offshore.

Modestly, she said: "It's nice of all my neighbours to come and celebrate with me."

Mrs Redman, née Tylor, served in the Women's Royal Naval Service (Wrens) as an electrician, where she worked with depth charges and torpedoes.

Her tour of duty from 1943 to 1945 saw her stationed in Liverpool and on board the HMS Pembroke and HMS Eaglet.

Supplied A sepia toned photo of a young Thelma in her naval uniform, and with a smile she is looking off to the left.Supplied
During the World War Two, Thelma Redman was stationed in Liverpool

She said: "I think it's very nice of everyone to make such a fuss for my birthday.

"My time in the Wrens was a long time ago now. I can remember working on the docks, and being taken out on the motorboats.

"All the women serving did quite a lot for the war, helped a lot in Liverpool and the seaside towns.

"And when it came to marching, my commander said the Wrens could do it without practising so we didn't have to - we just marched."

Supplied A black and white photo of a woman boarding a boatSupplied
Thelma spent time stationed on HMS Eaglet

Visiting her on Sunday, naval commander Jonathan Richards presented Mrs Redman with a letter from the First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins and a record of her service.

He said: "It's a real privilege. It's really nice to come together and support Mrs Redman.

"I think we owe a debt of gratitude to that generation, and we are still inspired by what they did for us in that difficult time."

A smiling man in uniform with a banner saying Happy Birthday behind him
Naval officer Jonathan Richards presented Thelma with a letter and a record of service

Mrs Redman was also gifted a Wren silhouette, and a bouquet of flowers.

Her daughter Amanda Farr said it was important that women's efforts in the war were recognised.

"I think it's fantastic, lovely everybody's made such a fuss, she said.

"I'm very proud of her and what people like her did in the war. She and her colleagues looked after the torpedoes and depth charges, serviced them and looked after them.

"The role of the Wrens was very important."

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