A WWII veteran who helped decode enemy messages has celebrated her 100th birthday. 

Anne Knibb enjoyed a party at Royal Star & Garter in Solihull, where she now lives, with family and friends on Tuesday 9 December. 

Anne was born in Solihull in 1925, and was just 13 when war was declared. She still remembers hearing the Coventry Blitz in 1940 from her home, and seeing the red glow in the sky as the German Luftwaffe targeted the historic city. A few days later she went with a friend to see the damage caused to the city firsthand, and the destruction of its medieval cathedral. 

Later, Anne helped the war effort by working in a munitions factory in Birmingham, before joining the Women’s Royal Naval Service in 1944. 

The Wren was stationed at HMS Ferret in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, where she worked with a team which helped decipher coded enemy messages. 

Anne left the Armed Forces after the war, and went on to marry Jimmy in 1949. The couple had four children. 

She also did secretarial work at an office in Birmingham, before spending a number of years working at the Solihull all girls’ school Malvern Hall. 

Now a great grandmother, Anne has been a resident at Royal Star & Garter since March 2025. The charity provides loving, compassionate care and support to veterans and their families, living with disability or dementia, through its Homes in Solihull, Surbiton, High Wycombe and Worthing. It also provides services reaching into the community, including Lunch Clubs, Day Care and a national Telephone Friendship Service. 

Royal Star & Garter staff arranged for Anne’s favourite singer Samantha Oxborough to perform for residents on the morning of her birthday, before hosting a lunch for the centenarian and her family and friends. 

‘Mum really enjoyed her day’ 

Son Nick said: “Mum has really enjoyed her day. She loved the concert and it was special to come together for a family lunch afterwards. I’d like to thank the Home for making today a special day for Mum, and for all the love and care they give her. We’re lucky she’s at Royal Star & Garter.” 

Royal Star & Garter in Solihull is welcoming new residents. For more information on this, Lunch Club and other services or to work at the Home, go to www.starandgarter.org/solihull