Second World War factory worker celebrates 100th birthday with family
A woman who worked in factories during the Second World War is celebrating her 100th birthday with her family this week.
Gladys Tolley from Wolverhampton turned 100 on Tuesday and celebrated with her loved ones with an afternoon tea.
One of six children, Gladys was accompanied at the celebrations by her two surviving siblings, Albert, 94, and 91-year-old Marian.
Gladys also has two sons, Michael and Martin, two grandchildren, Samantha and Stuart, and two great-grandchildren, 14-year-old Louis and 10-year-old Poppy.
Michael said: "She's one of the old school generation, nothing deterred her. They don't moan, they get on with it and work hard.
"She's always had that determination to carry on with life."
Gladys had a hard upbringing and her father was often out of work. At 14, she left school and started work straight away at Cartwright's in Lye Cross.
When the Second World War broke out, Gladys embarked on a new challenge, working at The Austin in Longbridge, sewing inserts into tin helmets for soldiers.
At the end of the war, she joined a clothing factory in Oldswinford making men's suits, and later in life worked at a company making car accessories.
Gladys's granddaughter, Samantha Pearson, added: "Her real love was making clothes, and she always made Michael's and Martin's clothes whilst they were children.
"She often knitted and would make cardigans or knitted jumpers for herself and her friends.
"Up until recently, she would holiday regularly in Looe in Cornwall, and didn't give up driving until she was mid 80s.
"She also has a strong love for animals. All through her married life she owned Labradors and after losing her late husband Jim Tolley, and finding herself on her own, she fell in love with cats.
"Gladys is an football fan and also makes sure to always have the F1 on during the season. She enjoys reading, and is quite a fan of Jeffrey Archer novels.
"She also had the opportunity to meet one of her favourite actors, Charlton Heston, when he visited the UK.
"On occasions she enjoys half a pint of John Smiths's bitter, or a whiskey with orange along with a couple of squares of her favourite Galaxy chocolate.
"She believes the secret to growing old gracefully is always doing what you enjoy."
