World War Two veteran celebrates her 105th birthday and says the key to a long life is lots of sleep

Published: 22:30, 6 July 2026 | Updated: 22:31, 6 July 2026 A World War Two veteran has celebrated her 105th birthday, crediting her long life to a happy marriage and 'lots of sleep'.  Ivy Meenan served with the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) - the women's branch of the British army - for four years after signing up at 20 years old. Born in Wolstanton, Staffordshire, she was stationed in Cornwall, where she worked as a range finder, helping to target enemy bombers as part of an anti-aircraft gun unit. She met her late husband Johnnie, who was serving in the RAF, at a dance in 1942.  Mrs Meenan celebrated the landmark birthday with a party surrounded by friends, family and RAF veterans at Wilson Keys retirement home in Rugeley, Staffordshire, where she now lives. Asked what the secret to her long life was she said:  'It's a mystery to me – living a good life and a happy marriage.' She added: 'I tell you what I do a lot of sleeping. When I sit here by myself, I doze off.'  Her son Peter told BBC Midlands Today: '[She's] 105 and she's achieved such a lot. It's very strange to be approaching 80 and still have a mother who thinks you're adolescent.' Ivy Meenan served with the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) for four years during World War Two She celebrated her 105th birthday at Wilson Keys retirement home in Rugeley, Staffordshire, where she now lives Last year it was estimated that fewer than 8,000 British veterans are still alive. Two other veterans celebrated their birthdays in recent days and remembered their service. George Durrant, from Crawley in West Sussex, celebrated turning 102 years old on Saturday. Mr Durrant lived through the Blitz before serving in India and Myanmar during World War Two. He was sent hundreds of flags after a voluntary history group made an appeal to 'celebrate this incredible gentleman'. On the same day, veteran Bob Tait from Gateshead, Tyne and Wear celebrated his 100th birthday. He celebrated at his care home surrounded by his family and friends.