Ethel Caterham, Born 21 August 1909

The world’s oldest person, British woman Ethel Caterham,

Has celebrated her 117th birthday, marking a historic milestone as she becomes the first person from Britain ever verified to reach that age while continuing to live a quiet life at a care home in Surrey.According to Guinness World Records, Ethel Caterham, born on 21 August 1909, is the first-ever Brit to reach the age of 117.

Ben Meyers, CEO of LongeviQuest, said, “Her longevity is becoming truly historic, especially in terms of the UK. After becoming the first British person to reach age 116 a year ago, she is now the first British person to reach 117. “She is consistently adding to her British longevity record, which was previously set by Charlotte Hughes, who passed away in 1993.

BIOGRAPHY

EARLY LIFE

Caterham was born in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, England, on 21 August 1909, and grew up in Tidworth, Wiltshire. She was the second youngest of eight children born to Alfred Collins (1866-1927) and Fanny Shears (1867-1951).

Her oldest brother, Norman (July 1896 – 10 August 1915), was killed, aged 19, in Gallipoli during World War I, whilst her older sister, Gladys Babilas (21 December 1897 – 9 March 2002), lived to be 104 years, 78 days old, making them the 2nd oldest sibling pair ever from the UK.

During the 1910’s, Caterham and her family lived simple lives, with no electricity or running water. They grew their own vegetables and kept chickens for eggs. In 1927, at the age of 18, she travelled to India to work as a nanny for a British family.

Drawn by the allure of adventure and world travel, she made the three-week trip by ship. Reflecting on that time, she fondly recalled her experiences in India as the “amongst the happiest times of my life”. She commented that they were waited on by servants and embraced both British traditions like Christmas and Indian customs, such as Tiffin and Tea.

She remained in India until 1931, when she returned to Shipton Bellinger. It was upon her return that she met her future husband, Norman Caterham, a major in the British army, at a small dinner party hosted by a school friend.

MARRIED LIFE

The Caterham’s married at Salisbury cathedral, where Norman used to be a choir boy. The couple initially lived in Harnham, near Salisbury, where they welcomed their first daughter, Ethel, in July 1933. In 1935, after Norman rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Royal Army Pay Corps, they re-located to Gibraltar where he was stationed. Whilst in Gibraltar, they welcomed their second daughter, Ann, in March 1937. The family returned to the UK in 1938, living in Surrey.

The Caterham’s re-located once again in 1957, when Norman’s career resulted in him being stationed in Hong Kong. Caterham later reflected that similar to her experiences in India, living in Hong Kong was another very happy period in her life. Whilst in Hong Kong, she established a nursery for both local and British children, where she taught English, games and crafts. Upon Norman’s retirement in 1960, the couple returned to the UK, once again settling in Surrey.

During Norman’s retirement the pair enjoyed travelling, visiting countries such as Canada, South Africa, the USA and Sri Lanka. Sadly, after 43 years of marriage, Caterham was widowed when Norman died suddenly on 25 August 1976.

LATER LIFE

After her husband passed away, Caterham, then aged 67, having inherited his Triumph Dolomite, learnt to drive, which she continued to do until the age of 97. During her widowhood, she kept busy by gardening, walking her dogs and socialising with friends. It was during this time that she became a regular bridge player, a hobby she continued into her centenarian years.

Caterham continued to live independently until past the age of 100, until around the age of 107 she moved into an Annex of her daughter Ann’s house. She outlived both of her daughters; Ethel Jr. passed away in January 2005 aged 71, whilst Ann died from cancer in February 2020, aged 82. It was after Ann’s death that she moved to a care home in spring 2020. Upon the home’s closure in November 2023, she moved once again to a care home in Lightwater, Surrey.

In 2020, at the age of 110, Caterham contracted Covid-19, during the coronavirus pandemic, however having no major symptoms, she successfully recovered, making her one of the oldest known survivors of the disease.

Since turning 111 in August 2020, Caterham’s birthday parties have become national and worldwide news. For her 111th birthday, she was interviewed by BBC Radio Surrey, whilst for her 112th she was taken to a local hotel for an afternoon tea.

Her 115th and 116th birthdays, celebrations, complete with balloons, cake and professional entertaining, were held at her care home. To commemorate Ethel’s remarkable milestone of turning 115, the care home team renovated a section of the garden and renamed it “Ethel’s garden”.

Since then, they have also renamed the area outside her room, where she loves to sit in the sun, “Ethel’s patio”. At the age of 117, Ethel, who has 3 granddaughters and 5 great-grandchildren, remains in good health. She enjoys participating in the many activities organised by her care home, which have included attending a party celebrating the home’s 10th anniversary.

World’s oldest person Ethel Caterham becomes first-ever Brit to reach age 117 | Guinness World Records

When asked about the keys to her longevity, she said: “Say yes to every opportunity, because you never know what it will lead to. Have a positive mental attitude and have everything in moderation”.

THE OLDER YOU GET, THE MORE THIS SONG WILL MEAN