A SOUTHAMPTON centenarian who once told US President Dwight Eisenhower to wait in line for his mail has died.

The news comes after an inquest opened into her death.

Winchester Coroner’s Court heard Daisy Gallop, of Pepys Avenue, Thornhill, died at Southampton General Hospital on May 7.

Ms Gallop, was was 101 years old, was admitted to hospital on April 14, but remained a patient until her death.

A preliminary cause of death was given as head injuries after a fall.

Speaking a short time after turning 100, Ms Gallop, known as ‘Babe’, told the Echo how as a Southampton postwoman she who once told the 34th President of the United States, Dwight Eisenhower, to wait in line for his mail.

Ms Gallop met the-then American Army General, Eisenhower, in Southampton Docks when she was delivering mail to his US troops and declined to give him his mail when he requested it, stating that she had to deliver it as instructed. He became US President in 1952.

She also recalled the times she touched base with Winston Churchill and King George during tours to inspect the damage that German war planes caused during raids over Southampton.

Ms Gallop’s husband John had been a German prisoner of war for four years after trying to defend Crete in 1941. The couple married on March 16, 1940 and enjoyed 54 years of marriage before John’s passing in 1994.

The centenarian lived in her home in Thornhill with the support of live-in carers, provided by Promedica24.

Speaking at the time, Mark Muller, regional partner at Promedica24, said: “She is an amazing woman with a great sense of humour who has clearly led a very exciting life.

“Our carers have built up a strong rapport with Babe and she’s always a pleasure to visit. We’re delighted that we could help her to live the independent life she so cherishes. It truly is an incredible achievement.”

Senior coroner Grahame Short adjourned the inquest to September 18.