Rugby woman who served as ambulance driver in WW2 turns 102 and urges everyone to smile every day

Pip said it's important to be kind and smile every day.
By Alex Green
Published 2nd Mar 2020, 17:24 BST
Updated 2nd Mar 2020, 17:24 BST
Left to right: Lilbourne Court manager Karen Tait, Phyllis Yates, Sue Lewis and Cllr Bill Lewis.Left to right: Lilbourne Court manager Karen Tait, Phyllis Yates, Sue Lewis and Cllr Bill Lewis.
Left to right: Lilbourne Court manager Karen Tait, Phyllis Yates, Sue Lewis and Cllr Bill Lewis.

Phyllis Yates was joined by Rugby mayor Cllr Bill Lewis and his wife Sue as she celebrated her 102nd birthday at on Friday, February 28.

Known as Pip to her friends and family, she was born in Lutterworth in 1918 and now lives at Lilbourne Court Nursing home in Clifton-upon-Dunsmore.

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Pip worked at the family farm from a young age and when she was 17 she graduated from Lincoln House as an ambulance driver.

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She served as an ambulance driver through the Second World War, where her love for cars and her want to help others saw her make a huge contribution.

Pip knew her husband Frank all her life as they were neighbours and good friends.

At 24 Pip married Frank and the couple had two children, moving to Rugby in 1939.

When she was asked what the secret to living so long is she said: "Be respectful, kind and never forget to smile every day."

Related topics:Lutterworth