A GREAT-GRANDMOTHER whose first memory is burning an effigy of Kaiser Wilhelm in the street at the end of World War One has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Centenarian Mary Grundy was delighted to receive a birthday card from the Queen when she for her big day on June 19.

Mrs Grundy, who lives in sheltered housing in Bromley Cross near to her son Danny Grundy, spent much of her life in Little Hulton.

She was born 39 days before the outbreak of the Great War.

She lived in Enfield Street, Farnworth as a child and is a former mill worker and school cook.

Mrs Grundy brought up her family in Little Hulton and has lived at Eagley Court in Darwen Road since 2002.

Mrs Grundy left St Gregory’s school in Farnworth at the age of 14 to work in a bakery, and then worked at Sewer’s Mill, Farnworth, as a “doubler”, before working at schools in Little Hulton as a dinnerlady and head cook.

She married husband Dannyat St Edmund’s, Little Hulton on June 15, 1940. She said: “I was walking down Market Street in Farnworth with my friend Margaret and we met these two men. I ended up marrying Danny and she ended up marrying his friend, George Stones.

“I knew him about four years before we got married.”

Her husband, who died 20 years ago, was a miner until he was about 50 and then he worked as a machinist in Walkden, making gearboxes. Mrs Grundy remembers running for shelter during World War Two and marking the end of the Great War in 1918.

As a four-year-old girl, she recalls effigies of Kaiser Wilhelm II being burned in Bridgewater Street, Farnworth, by rejoicing people.

Her son Danny, aged 64, has two sons, Mark and Richard, who have five children between them — Hannah, aged 17, Ellie, aged 13, Daniel, aged 10, Mia, aged nine, and Lily, aged five.

Mrs Grundy’s daughter, Margaret Williams, aged 66, has two sons, Gareth and John.

Mr Grundy said: “I think living here at Eagley Court is one of the main reasons she has lived so long.

“It is warm and she is fed and she has a social network here.

“She is in very good health for someone her age. She is a bit deaf and gets a little bit forgetful but she is fine apart from that.”

Mrs Grundy was joined by her son, daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren for a party at Eagley Court on June 21.

She was able to show off a birthday card from the Queen and a telegram from Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith at the party.

Mr Grundy said: “She was delighted, she wouldn’t put it down. It is her pride and joy.”