Daphne Strutt (née Aldridge), marked her centenary on August 3 at Brantham Leisure Centre.

She was joined by more than 60 friends and family, including relatives she hadn’t seen for years, for a special reception and buffet.

Son Colin said: “I think she’s quite relaxed about it really, she’s very pleased to have reached that age.”

Daphne was part of the Women’s Royal Naval Service – known as the Wrens – and worked in administration at Bletchley Park during the decoding of the Enigma files in 1944.

Born near Great Bentley, she joined the Wrens in early 1944, once she was old enough at 17 and-a-half.

Colin said: “She found it exciting and liberating to be away from the countryside and be part of the Wrens.”

Daphne married husband Clifford Strutt in 1947 after her time as a Wren and spent the rest of her life in Clacton, raising two sons, Clive and Colin, now aged 77 and 75.

She has four grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Daphne also worked part-time at Burcart and Lewellen, and Great Clacton post office until her 40s.

She received a congratulatory 100th birthday card from King Charles and Queen Camilla.

In place of gifts, she requested donations to the MND Association in memory of her brother, who died from motor neurone disease.

More than £1,000 has been raised so far in his honour.

Colin said his mother was “overwhelmed” by all the attention but she thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting with family and friends, some of whom she hadn’t seen in a while.

As well as the leisure centre party, residents and management at Westcliffe Court in Clacton, where Daphne now lives, hosted a reception for her.

Colin spoke of her memories of her time as a Wren, and how she used to travel into the West End in the evenings to watch shows and found city life thrilling after a childhood in the countryside.

The Wrens were established in 1917 and re-formed in 1939 at the outbreak of the Second World War.

Women served in roles including radar plotting, wireless telegraphy, engineering and aircraft maintenance, before the WRNS was integrated into the Royal Navy in 1993.

Credit: Essex County News: Clacton woman who served in the Navy in WWII turns 100 | Essex County News