THELMA Norris celebrated her 100th birthday on May 11 at Burnham Lodge Nursing Home in Burnham-on-Sea.

She was born in Adelaide, Australia, to Annie and Allan Norris, who were from Blackford in Somerset. 

Mr and Mr Norris were working at a sheep station in the outback.

Thelma returned aged about six to Top Farm in Blackford. She celebrated King George VI Coronation on May 12, 1937 a street party. 

In 1940, when Thelma was 17, war broke out. She worked on Marshall's Flying School at Clyffe Pypard, Wiltshire, in the officers' mess. The flying school taught young RAF recruits to fly on tiger moths before processing on to Lancasters for bombing raids.

Somerset County Gazette: Thelma Norris who recently celebrated her 100th birthday in Burnham used to work in Marshall's Flying School, Clyffe Pypard, Wiltshire in the Officers Mess. Thelma Norris who recently celebrated her 100th birthday in Burnham used to work in Marshall's Flying School, Clyffe Pypard, Wiltshire in the Officers Mess. (Image: Thelma Norris)

After the war, Thelma married Ken, an aircraft engineer, and moved to Isslip, Oxford, and had two children, Keith and June.

Many happy years were spent with the children enjoying, crafts, nature walks and gardening. 

Somerset County Gazette: Thelma Norris who recently turned 100 in her young days.Thelma Norris who recently turned 100 in her young days. (Image: Thelma Norris)

He daughter said: "Our first colour TV was won in the 60's after Thelma wrote about her favourite TV programme'Look' by Peter Scott which came from his home and wildlife reserve at Slimbridge, where looked out of his window and told us about all the wildfowl coming in to land on the water,  complemented by painting the view."

Thelma later moved to Bournemouth and was receptionist at the RAC.

On retirement Thelma moved back to Burnham, Somerset, enjoying lovely coastal walks, gardening, sewing and knitting.