AS record crowds gathered around war memorials on Remembrance Sunday, a town resident given the middle name Victory to celebrate Armistice Day celebrated her 100th birthday.

Amy Victory Cowper celebrated her 100th birthday on Armistice Day with a big party for 30 family members and friends and was delighted to receive not only a birthday card from The Queen, but also congratulatory letters from two secretaries of state.

Unfortunately, family friends South West Surrey MP and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt and East Hampshire MP and Education Secretary Damian Hinds had to miss the party because of prior commitments.

Mrs Cowper’s son Ferris, East Hampshire District Council, cabinet member for finance, said: “Mum is called Vicky because her middle name is Victory, not Victoria.

“She was born on Armistice Day itself, November 11, 1918, and went on to have a distinguished career in the Second World War in the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), including special duties in Operation Overlord, which are still subject to the Official Secrets Act.

“She held the party spellbound with an amazing repertoire of stories from the past, proving that underneath her kindly and loving grandma image there is a brave, loyal and daring lady with an amazing 100-year history.”