HUNDREDS of handwritten cards helped make a 100th birthday a day to remember in Looe.

Monica Robinson was born on Valentine’s Day 1921 and her varied life has included service in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force, and teaching youngsters to swim, as well as marriage and raising a family.

With lockdown putting a dampener on the usual sorts of celebrations, and family unable to visit, staff at the Rivermead View Care Home wanted to make sure that Monica would still enjoy her birthday as much as possible. They put out a call on social media and via The Cornish Times for people to send cards.

A trickle of post at the start of February became a cascade of cards, pictures and messages sent by well-wishers.

“Mum wishes to thank the many Cornish Times readers, who have sent her in excess of two hundred lovely cards,” said Derek. “She had a lovely 100th birthday.”

Born to parents of Scottish ancestry, Monica Robinson can trace her bloodline on her mother’s side to the outlaw-turned-folk hero Rob Roy MacGregor. Her father was born in Ayreshire and a chief baker on the Transatlantic Liners, serving during two world wars, when the ships were converted to troop carriers. He was onboard a ship torpedoed near Kalamata, Greece, but lived to tell the tale after being rescued by a naval vessel.

Monica’s mother served with the Queen Mary’s Auxiliary Army Corps in Northern France during World War One and Monica was to follow in her footsteps, joining the WWAF at the age of 19 and the outbreak of the Second World War. After her training she joined 611 (West Lancashire) Squadron, based at RAF Speke, Headquarters of Fighter Command. Operations flown out of the base included the Battle of Britain, Battle of France and D Day air cover.

Monica married Richard Robinson, a chief engineer with the Merchant Navy, in 1942, and left the WAAF in 1943 to have her first child, Peter. She went on to have two more children, Derek, and Pam, and over the years the family has expanded to include two grandchildren, three great grandchildren and a great, great grandson.

In 1972 the Robinsons had to attend the Court of Appeal in London, having been witnesses to the infamous ‘One-Armed Bandit’ murder in the North East, a gangster killing that was the inspiration for the Michael Caine movie Get Carter.

The couple moved to Lanreath in 1973 and Richard became manager of the Pollards Ice Cream factory near the bridge in West Looe: from her window at Rivermead in Station Road, Monica can look across to what used to be Richard’s office. He later became manager of the Kelly’s factory in St Blazey.

Monica is a very good painter, and was a very keen gardener, up to a couple of years ago, says her son. She now takes things more easy at Rivermead View, where she reads a lot, and likes to listen to jazz music.

Wellbeing coordinator at Rivermead View Shirin Hodgson-Watt said: “Monica seemed to really enjoy her day, despite being adamant that she isn’t 100!

“Staff arranged a singalong and pass the parcel, and then one of our care team, Cathy Nowell, brought Minnie the Mouse to life in order to add the entertainment we can’t otherwise currently book.”

An extensive buffet spread was prepared by kitchen staff, and a cream tea was also sent by mayor of Looe Martin Gregory.