Luck of the Irish behind “inspiring” 108-year-old islander’s long life

Thursday 28 March 2019

Could the luck of the Irish be key to a long life? A Jersey woman who went on to become a British Army Lieutenant, with a penchant for the occasional Guinness, has recently celebrated her 108th birthday.

Elsie Corbin was born on the island on 17 March 1911, but, given that it was St. Patrick's Day, it wasn’t long before her father decided the nickname ‘Pat’ would be more appropriate.

Her birth came before two world wars, the RMS Titanic being launched, the Queen being born, and just two days before the first ever International Women's Day.

Pictured: Pat was born before the Titanic was launched.

Perhaps, then, it's no coincidence that Pat ended up becoming a strong female leader.

While Occupation ravaged the Channel Islands, Pat served as part of the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), the women's branch of the British Army.

There, she accelerated, and by the end of the war had become a Lieutenant.

During that time, however, her parents remained in Jersey. Found with a crystal radio, her father was imprisoned by Nazi forces.

Having been apart for six years, Pat couldn't wait to return home to reunite with her parents as soon as the Channel Islands were liberated.

Pictured: Pat became a Lieutenant in the British Army.

Accompanied her brother, Ron, she took the first boat home from Plymouth to St. Helier.

During the 1940s, she met her late husband John, with whom she travelled the world – a passion of hers.

Despite travel being much more difficult and costly back then, that didn't stop the pair reaching sites as far afield as South Africa and Canada.

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.

Could pets be the key to keeping people lively into their late years?

Pictured: Appropriately, St. Patrick's Day-born Pat enjoys an occasional spot of Guinness.

Asked the secret to her longevity, Pat, who now lives at a care home in Bournemouth was coy. "It's just one of those things," she said.

With many relatives living into their nineties, Pat's family are sure the true reason is "good genes". She has also had a healthy life, and never smoked.

But she does have one vice – the St. Patrick's Day baby is, rather appropriately, partial to a glass of Guinness.

That's not what she was drinking two Sundays ago, however, as she celebrated her 108th year of life. Instead, it was cups of tea.

Friends and family joined her for the high tea treat at RMBI's Zetland Court care home, where she has lived for two years – and the Queen was there too, in spirit.

Pictured: Pat celebrating her 108th birthday on 17 March.

Her Majesty sent a special birthday card to mark the milestone birthday.

Recalling the "really lovely celebration", the home's Activities Co-ordinator Debra Curtis added: "Pat is a truly inspiring woman and we felt really privileged to celebrate her 108th birthday at our home."