BORN two months premature and seriously ill, Gwen Henley's mother was told to prepare for the worst.

But a century on she has proved the doctors wrong and more as she celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends.

Gwen, who was born with double pneumonia, was given no chance of survival by doctors who told her mother to get her daughter christened quickly.

But somehow Gwen pulled through.

“At 100 years old wouldn't you like to tell the doctor?” said Gwen's daughter Jill Smurthwaite, 78, from Botley who joined other members of the family for a party at Hollybank Rest Home in Botley organised by staff.

Gwen grew up in Southampton and was married at 18 to her husband of 60 years William, who was 10 years older.

They had known each other for years as their parents were friends, but became a couple when he returned after five years in the RAF.

After their marriage in Wickham, they settled locally but in 1938 when William, a pilot, was posted to Egypt, Gwen joined him with their two young children in tow.

Daily Echo:

Gwen celebrates her birthday with family and friends

During the Second World War his postings also included South Africa and Palestine, which the family accompanied him on.

Then in 1942 they made the dangerous voyage back to Britain across the Atlantic through what was known as 'submarine alley' where a lot of ships had been sunk, for a posting in Ireland.

After the war the couple settled in Bournemouth, where they lived until William passed away when Gwen was 78.

She moved to Botley to be closer to family where she lived independently for the next 20 years, only moving into the Hollybank Rest Home two years ago.

The mother-of-two, grandmother-of-five and great grandmother-of-six was described by her daughter as a kind and supportive mother for whom family always came first.

“I think she's amazed she's got to 100 because of her early childhood,” Jill added.

“My grandmother used to tell me that she had her and the doctor said 'you won't save her'.

“She wrapped her in cotton wool and bathed her in olive oil and fed her drops of brandy. She always reckoned the brandy saved her daughter's life.

“I don't know what the doctors would say about that now.

“It was just love and care that she came through.”