Home   Sittingbourne   News   Article

Florence Court celebrates 100th birthday at Gore Court Cricket Club, Sittingbourne

Florence Court was surrounded by family and friends as she celebrated her 100th birthday.

Nearly 80 guests were at the pavilion at Gore Court Cricket Club in Sittingbourne for the party.

Flo, as she is known, was born on May 25, 1919 in the town to Constance and Henry Carr. She had an older sister Connie.

Flo Court celebrated her 100th birthday with all her family
Flo Court celebrated her 100th birthday with all her family

Constance, together with sister Gertrude, were well-known in the Sittingbourne area as entertainers, due to their musical and vocal skills, while Flo's dad Henry was a First World War veteran soldier from London.

As a young child, Flo lived with her family at Moat House in Crown Quay Lane and, as a young woman, she worked at Dean’s Jam Factory in Bell Road.

However, the onset of the Second World War meant Flo enlisted, hoping to join the Women’s Royal Air Force, but she was informed because sufficient numbers had already signed up, she would be required to go to work in an ammunition factory.

After the war, Flo married her fiancé Les Court who, as part of the British Expeditionary Force, had been wounded and captured and spent five years as a prisoner of war.

The couple married at St Michael’s Church, in the High Street, where Flo still worships weekly as the oldest member of the congregation.

Flo worked as a dinner lady at South Avenue School, while Les worked for High and Sons Funeral Directors and Builders for over 70 years.

"My family gives me an interest in life... I'm always doing something for one of them or another" - Florence Court

They had three children, Wendy, Jennifer and John.

Sadly, Flo’s happy married life came to an end in 2005 when Les died, aged 86.

She now has six grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and a great, great granddaughter.

Flo, who received 113 cards including one from the Queen, said her secret was keeping busy.

"My family gives me an interest in life," she said.

"I'm always doing something for one of them or another. I am a lucky lady in a lot of ways - count your blessings they say, so I’ll count mine."

Read more: All the latest news from Sittingbourne

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More