Ethel Caterham, the world’s oldest living person, has celebrated her 116th birthday. She claimed the title in April following the passing of Sister Inah Canbarro Lucas in Brazil

British woman Ethel Caterham has marked her 116th birthday
The world’s oldest living person, British woman Ethel Caterham, has marked her 116th birthday. Ethel, a resident of a Surrey care home, claimed the title of the world’s oldest living individual in April following the passing of Sister Inah Canbarro Lucas in Brazil.

Born on August 21, 1909, Ethel is the last citizen of King Edward VII, having been born three years prior to the sinking of the Titanic and eight years before the Russian Revolution.
Having witnessed four coronations, endured two world wars and survived the Covid pandemic, Ethel has spent over half a century residing in Surrey. She currently lives in a Lightwater care home, where a garden has been named in her honour.

Ethel was born in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, and grew up in nearby Tidworth as the second youngest of eight siblings. At the age of 18 in 1927, she embarked on a three-week solo ship journey to India to work as an au pair for a military family in the then British-ruled region.

Upon returning to the UK in 1931, she met her future husband Norman Caterham at a dinner party. The couple tied the knot in a ceremony at Salisbury Cathedral in 1933, reports the Mirror.
Norman went on to become a lieutenant colonel in the Royal Army Pay Corps, and they initially settled in Harnham, close to their wedding venue, before Norman’s postings took them to the former British colonies of Hong Kong and Gibraltar.

During her stint in Hong Kong, Mrs Caterham established a nursery where she instructed children in English and engaged them in various games. The Caterhams started their family whilst in Gibraltar before deciding to relocate to the UK to bring up their two daughters. Norman passed away in 1976.

Having been born in 1909, she would have reached 30 years of age when the Second World War commenced. She would have been 44 years old during Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953.
Ethel continued driving until the remarkable age of 97, and credits her longevity to “never arguing with anyone, I listen and I do what I like”.

For her 115th birthday celebration last August, she marked the milestone with fellow residents and staff at the Hallmark Lakeview care home. In honour of the occasion, the care home christened a portion of their grounds ‘Ethel’s Garden’ and transformed her patio space with fresh outdoor furnishings, potted plants, a water feature and windchimes.

Inder Hanzra, general manager at Hallmark Lakeview Care Home, commented: “There’s nothing Ethel enjoys more than sitting in the sunshine and listening to the birds.”

She currently lives in a Lightwater care home, where a garden has been named in her honour
Ethel’s three granddaughters Kate Henderson, Julia Pauling, and Lucy Robinson frequently visit her, often bringing along the 115 year old’s five great-grandchildren.

BBC Radio Surrey chatted to Ethel back in 2020, the year she battled through the Covid pandemic, where she reflected: “I’ve taken everything in my stride, the highs and lows. I’ve been all over the world, and I’ve ended up in this lovely home, where everyone is falling over themselves for me, giving me everything I want.”
Her care home issued a statement saying: “Ethel and her family are so grateful for all of the kind messages and interest shown to her as she celebrates her 116th birthday this year.

“Ethel will spend the day quietly with her family so that she can enjoy it at her own pace. Thank you again for your kind wishes on this special day.”