Aunt Rose was the last enduring connection to my own Mum, Lilian Duncombe.

Both born in 1917, they lost their fathers to war in the same year.

A strong bond would have been created there that continued right through their school years at Mansford Street Central School. Both were of the same academic year and would have remained classmates until they left in the early 1930’s.

They never lost touch even after Rose went to, and remained in, Hertfordshire and we finally left the East End for Essex in 1955. There was still a consistent level of contact and shared experience.

The friendship was enhanced by my Mum’s aunt, Violet, who was actually five months younger than my Mum. Violet was also a close friend of Rose as she was also born in (September),1917; one month later than Rose. They must have presented as an indomitable trio of 1917 on their many trips to country and seaside.

I should explain it was not that unusual in those days for nieces and nephews to be older than aunts and uncles. Premature deaths caused by war and certain diseases yet to be conquered, occasioned many subsequent marriages hence a second age generation even among siblings.

It makes Rose’s achievement of 103 all the more remarkable.

Rose was so much a part of my life that I happily maintained the contact whenever I was within striking distance of Goff’s Oak. For instance I could be travelling home to Essex from a company meeting or a cricket match in Hertfordshire. Being so handy from the M25 and A10 made for an easy detour to No. 364.

Rose often told me how much she enjoyed receiving my postcards from distant lands. No mean traveller herself; she told me once how she took the train with a friend to Holyhead and from there on to Dublin as a foot passenger. She was in her late seventies or possibly early eighties then!

I usually rang first but was always made welcome frequently among other visitors or casual callers who happened by.

In all my life I cannot think of anybody who was so effortlessly popular as Rose.

A lovely person who enriched my life.

From James Rutherford and on behalf of my late Mother Lilian as well.