Second World War veteran who helped bring down Nazi V-1 flying bombs turns 100
A Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) veteran, whose vital work with barrage balloons helped bring down deadly Nazi V 1 flying bombs, has celebrated her 100th birthday.
Veteran Mrs Amy Wein marked the special occasion with several events including an afternoon tea party with her children, grandsons and great-grandchildren, some of whom had travelled from Australia and New Zealand, at the Royal Star & Garter home in Surbiton.
She said: "I had a lovely birthday spending it with family, and my grandsons who I don't get to see often."
Born in Northumberland on 13 January 1925, Mrs Wein worked at a factory which manufactured bomb tails as soon as she left school.
In 1942, at just 17, Mrs Wein joined the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) where she trained to operate barrage balloons.
The balloons were crucial to Britain's anti-aircraft defences, as they limited the maneuverability of German aircraft, often compelling them to take alternative paths to their intended targets, which exposed them to anti-aircraft fire.
In addition, the prominent sight of the balloons helped lift the spirits of the civilian population.
By 1944, thousands of these balloons were in operation and were used to help bring down the notorious V1 flying bombs, also known as 'doodlebugs'.
Mrs Wein then worked as a plotter at a station near Hastings as Allied nations gradually gained ascendancy over the enemy.
She recalls: "It was a very interesting job.
"By then, it was our planes that were going out in droves to bomb Berlin and industrial areas.
"We were plotting out hundreds of aircraft and then, as so many of them struggled back, we plotted them back home."
After raising her family, Mrs Wein returned to work as a solicitors' clerk.
The Royal Star & Garter home in Surbiton, where Mrs Wein is a resident, provides loving, compassionate care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia and has launched new services reaching out into the community.
In addition to celebrating with her family, the home's dedicated Wellbeing Team arranged a party with other residents, which included live entertainment from popular singer Vic Gilder.
Daughter Kim said afterwards: "Mum really enjoyed her parties at Royal Star & Garter and she was tapping her feet and singing along all the way through the concert.
"Royal Star & Garter have gone to a lot of effort to make mum's 100th special, and we're very grateful."
Royal Star & Garter is welcoming new residents.
For more information on this, the new services it has launched, or to work at the home, go to www.starandgarter.org.
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