“Amazing” islander celebrates 109th birthday

Wednesday 08 April 2020

A Jersey woman, who served in World War Two, has turned 109, with loved ones praising her “amazing” personality and astonishing life story on this milestone birthday.

Despite being christened Elsie, Pat Corbin earned her name by being born on St. Patrick’s Day and, after 109 years, it seems the luck of the Irish has followed her throughout.

Having lived through two World Wars and served in one of them, rising to the rank of Lieutenant in the women’s branch of the British Army, Pat’s long life is being celebrated at the care home she lives at in Bournemouth.

Pictured: Pat in her army days.

Despite the current restrictions on visitors at the home due to the corona virus outbreak, Pat’s family made sure to make her feel special from afar by treating her to a bouquet of flowers and a birthday telephone call.

Debra Curtis from Pat’s care home said: “In these difficult times, we believe it’s tremendously important to carry on celebrating the good things in life.

“Pat is an amazing person and it was an honour for us to celebrate her birthday at our home.”

Whilst Pat made a name for herself in the Auxiliary Territorial Service, her parents remained in Jersey during the Occupation – separated from their daughter and son, Ron, for six years. 

After being caught with a crystal radio, Pat’s father was imprisoned by Nazi forces, but the family were later reunited when the war finally ended, and the siblings got the first boat home from Plymouth to St. Helier. 

It was in the 1940’s that Pat met her late husband John with whom she shared her love of travel and the couple adventured as far afield as South Africa and Canada together.

Pictured: When asked what the secret to long life is, Pat simply said: "It's just one of those things."

John sadly passed away in 1970. Fortunately, Pat found companionship in her great friend, Tasso – a Doberman that helped keep her fit with plentiful walks. 

When asked the secret to her longevity, Pat was coy.

“It’s just one of those things,” she said. 

But her family are sure the true reason is “good genes” after living a healthy lifestyle for almost a century and a decade – although the St. Patrick’s Day baby has admitted to enjoying the occasional snifter of Guinness!