THE ONLY surviving Women’s Auxiliary Police Constables (WAPC) has revealed her secret to living a long life is “a healthy mind in a healthy body”.
Ellen Ogilvie shared her wisdom to mark her birthday while celebrating with those nearest and dearest to her.
To mark her milestone birthday a special celebration complete with balloons and cakes was organised by the team at Blossomfield Grange care home where she is a resident.
Ellen, who was one of three siblings, was born on October 21, 1921 in Birmingham.
During the Second World War, Ellen left The Provincial Insurance Company, where she had been an office girl and typist since leaving school, and decided to follow in her father’s footsteps and join the police force.
Ellen become the sixth member of the very first WAPC group.
But unlike her father, Police Sergeant J. Thomas Fairhurst, she did not have to move to a different part of the country during her service.
While in the WAPC Ellen said she always enjoyed drill practice at Steelehouse Lane Police Station.
In a real case of love at first sight, Ellen met her husband, Harry Ogilvie, and the couple had their first date at Birmingham Town Hall where sparks instantly flew.
After the couple wed in 1944, they had one daughter, Janet.
Over the years Ellen devoted time to the upkeep of her VW Polo, as well as enjoying hobbies such as singing with Harry accompanying her in piano, gymnastics and ballroom dancing.
Ellen also loved dressmaking and designed her own clothes as well as her daughters.
The 103-year-old passed on her dressmaking skills to her daughter and granddaughter who has two little girls – the youngest was born six days before her 100th birthday and Ellen to exchange a transparent pencil case and large rainbow windmill she found in her great-grandmother’s wardrobe for their third and 103rd birthday gift exchange.
She also has a grandson and three teenage great-grandsons who live in Kings Heath.
When asked what her secret was to living a long and happy life, Ellen said: “Have a healthy mind in a healthy body” – a motto she first learned in secondary school.
Harry died 28 years ago but despite this Ellen continued to live in their retirement property in Hall Green for another 25years until her 100th birthday – and she was one of the last to receive a birthday cards from Queen Elizabeth.
