A woman born on the day when World War One was officially declared over, and given a name to reflect the hope for peace, is preparing to celebrate her 99th birthday this Remembrance Day.
The doctor who delivered Connie Hailstone in 1918 suggested she should be called Joy or Peace.
Her parents liked his line of thinking and decided on Constance Peace in the hope that this little girl would enjoy her life in constant peace.
Connie said: “I hope I make 100 years old on Armistice day 2018.”
Judy Wilson, manager of The Hermitage care home in Whittlesey where Connie lives, said: “I think this is rather special.
“It is wonderful that Connie has reached 99 but for it to be such a special day for Constance Peace 11/11/17 is a remarkable story.
“She was born on 11/11/18 to Jessie and John Bothamley in Peterborough.
“The Doctor (Dr Walker as remembered) that delivered her thought it would be rather special to name Mrs Hailstone either Joy or Peace given that it was Armistice day 1918.
“So Jessie and John decided to call their third child of five, a dear little girl, Constance Peace, in the hope that this little girl would enjoy her life in constant peace, given the last few war years before she was born.
“Connie went on to marry her husband Thomas in the 1940s, they had a little girl Barbara.
“Sadly both Connie’s husband Tom and daughter Barbara passed away within two years of each other almost seven years ago, Connie is the remaining child of five still alive.
“It was after the loss of Tom and Barbara that Connie decided to make The Hermitage her home six years ago.
“She enjoys living at The Hermitage and has very fond memories of Whittlesey that she can pass on to staff, visitors and other residents at The Hermitage.”
1918 FACTS
11 November – World War I ends. Germany signs an armistice agreement with the Allies in a railroad car outside Compiègne in France.
14 November – Labour Party leaves the wartime coalition government.
15 November – The first released British prisoners of war reach Calais.
20 November – U-boats start to rendezvous off Harwich to begin the surrender of the high seas fleet to the Royal Navy.
21 November – Women over 21 are given the right to stand as an MP.
14 December – General election held. It is the first in the UK in which women are entitled to vote or stand.
29 December – the Sunday Express publishes for the first time.
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