A WOMAN celebrating her 102nd birthday told guests she was “sorry the queen couldn’t make it in time”.


Mildred Gillard was born Mildred Palmer in Porters End in Hertfordshire on August 21, 1913.


She fondly remembers her childhood as one of just 30 children in the village school where it was common practice for lessons to be interrupted by hordes of rabbits.


One day, Mildred was helping to ward rabbits toward the teachers’ guns when she was shot in the leg, only for a school friend to relay the less-than-helpful message to her mother that “Mildred Palmer has been shot dead”.


Her family moved to Tetbury in 1927 where Mildred went to the Girl’s National School but left soon after to become an apprentice draper for 12-and-a-half pennies a week.


After moving to a new drapers in Cirencester she met Harry Gillard and they married on Boxing Day, 1939, at Badminton Church.


Tragically, just a few short months later, on May 20, 1940, Harry died fighting in the Netherlands. Mildred would not marry again.


After many more years as a draper and a spell in the Southern Electricity Board showrooms, Mildred ended her working life at Walters’ cake shop in Market Place, where she was always generous to children who came in.


Mildred attended the Methodist Church in Long Street for many years and in the 1970s helped to run a girls’ club.


Almost 40 years later and Mildred was surrounded by happy faces at The Priory care home in Tetbury, where she was treated to a gourmet meal.


And, despite her age she has not lost her humour.


“What’s the secret to a long life?” she said. “I think it’s to just keep on going.


“I’ve got a lot of good friends which helps as well, although they probably all came because it’s a free lunch!


“I’m just sorry the queen couldn’t make it here in time.”