Grantham woman who served in navy during Second World War and welcomed Queen Mother and Prime Minister to town as mayoress turns 100

A woman who served in the navy during the Second World War and welcomed the Queen Mother to town has turned 100.

Joan Briggs celebrated her 100th birthday with an open house on Saturday and a family meal at the Welby Arms in Denton, and has reflected on her “wonderful life”.

She served her country as a Wren (member of the Women’s Royal Navy) during World War Two and was later mayoress of Grantham when her husband Ron Briggs was mayor in 1963.

During this time, Joan welcomed members of the royal family, including the Queen Mother and Prime Minister Alec Douglas-Home to Grantham.

Around 60 people visited Joan on Saturday to celebrate her special day, and she has been showered with flowers, presents and cards, including one from King Charles III.

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She said her meal on Sunday was “lovely”, adding “I love my food”.

When asked what her secret was to living so long and still being in good health, Joan said: “I’ve never smoked in my life.

“I did have a drink but I gave that up 38 years ago. That and good food has kept me going.

“After sitting here greeting the visitors all weekend, my shoulder has given way. Apart from that, I’m fine.

“I’m looking forward to my 101st now!

Joan has four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren who she sees regularly.

Born on the Isle of Man, Joan joined the navy aged 17 as an ‘immobile wren’, which meant eating and sleeping at home after completing her shifts.

This was a compromise with her parents, who did not want Joan to join any armed services.

Joan recounted a story from her 21st birthday, where she received a surprise gift from an unlikely source.

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“I was talking to a friend about my 21st birthday. A couple of soldiers heard me and, unknown to me, a few days later asked my friend when my birthday was.

“What a surprise, on my birthday morning, the soldiers handed me a gift. It was a ship, called Joan, in a Dimple Haig Whiskey bottle!

“It had been made by one of the German internees [on the island].

“Unfortunately, many years later, whilst dusting I dropped it and it shattered into thousands of pieces.”

Upon turning 21, Joan was able to sign her own papers so that she could serve anywhere in the world.

She did so, but her ‘overseas posting’ turned out to be in Ayr, Scotland.

“We did have a badge which read “abroad” but I did not wear it,” said Joan.

“The station was a Fleet Air Arm base called H.M.S. Wagtail. The sailors would come ashore for a break whilst their ship was anchored on the Clyde.”

While there, Joan was promoted to petty officer and said that she “loved it so much” that she volunteered to stay on for a further three years after the war ended.

However, she soon met her husband-to-be, Ron Briggs, after he was posted in Scotland upon returning from Trinidad, where he worked as part of an anti submarine detection unit during the war.

She therefore only completed one more year in Scotland before marrying Ron in his home village of Little Ponton in 1946.

In 1963, Ron was chosen to be Grantham’s mayor during the quincentenary of the granting of its charter.

Joan said the highlight of the year was hosting the Queen Mother on a day-long visit to the town in June.

HRH was due to visit the Isle of Man just weeks after Grantham, and Joan had a long talk with her about the island.

“She promised to send me a postcard whilst there,” added Joan. “Several weeks later a postcard of the Royal Yacht Britannia arrived, addressed to me.

“Her Lady in Waiting wrote that she was sorry she was unable to slip away to buy a card of the Island but said that they had a very enjoyable visit to the Island and thanked us for our kindness and hospitality during their day in Grantham. A very treasured memory.

“Later that summer, during our annual visit to the island my husband and I met the Mayor and Mayoress of Douglas.”

Together Joan and Ron had two children, Chris and Lynda.

Lynda, who later passed away, presented the visiting Queen Mother with flowers. Chris, on the other hand, could not attend the event as he was studying for his Geography A Level.

Joan and Ron also welcomed the Duchess of Gloucester and Prime Minister Alec Douglas-Home to the Mayor’s Parlour.

Joan said: “It was a tiny little office on the corner. [The Prime Minister] was very quiet and shy, so was the Duchess of Gloucester. She asked Ron to do a speech instead of her.

“As mayor and mayoress we did 370-odd engagements. That year we never stopped.

“I’ve had some fun in my time. I’ve had a wonderful life.”

Ron worked for Aveling and Barfords, while Joan worked as an accountant. They both retired from these roles in 1977 and ran the White Lion pub in Colsterworth for 11 years.

Ron sadly passed away in 1995, aged 72.

Joan went back to the Isle of Man every year until around eight years ago, but she still keeps in touch with her family there, which includes great-great-great nieces and nephews, over the internet or by phone.

She said: “I love my island. It’s great to still have connections there. They are in touch with me all of the time.

“I love the sea. That must have been what drew me to the navy.”