Buckinghamshire care home is inviting people from across the UK to help celebrate the remarkable life of one of its oldest residents by sending birthday cards ahead of her 103rd birthday.
Buckingham House Care Home in Gerrards Cross is hoping to surprise resident Vera Florence Cole (pictured above, with her daughter Diana) with messages of congratulations when she celebrates the milestone later this month.
Vera, who has lived at the Maria Mallaband-operated home since 2020, has led an extraordinary life spanning more than a century. During the Second World War, she served as a wireless operator in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) at RAF Tempsford – one of Britain’s most secret wartime airfields, from which Special Operations Executive (SOE) agents and supplies were flown into occupied Europe.
It was during her wartime service that she met her future husband, Flight Lieutenant Peter Cole, who flew dangerous covert missions and was later awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. The couple married in 1946 and spent more than seven decades together, raising their family after settling in Gerrards Cross.
Following the war, Vera became heavily involved in community life through the international women’s organisation Beta Sigma Phi, helping to raise funds for charities across Buckinghamshire.
More than 100 years after she was born, Vera continues to enjoy an active lifestyle within the care home community. Staff say she regularly entertains fellow residents by reciting poetry, enjoys tackling crosswords and number puzzles, and still delights in tapping out names in Morse code – a lasting reminder of her wartime role.
Courtney Harry, Home Manager at Buckingham House Care Home, said the team hopes the wider community will help make Vera’s birthday one to remember.
“Vera is a much-loved member of the Buckingham House family, and we would love to make her birthday as special as possible,” she said. “Reaching the age of 103 is an incredible achievement, and we hope people from the local community and beyond will join us in celebrating by sending birthday cards and messages.”
The appeal highlights the important role community engagement can play in supporting wellbeing within care homes, helping residents maintain social connections and celebrate significant life milestones.
Birthday cards and messages can be sent to:
Vera (103rd Birthday)
Buckingham House Care Home
Off Oxford Road
Gerrards Cross
Buckinghamshire
SL9 7DP
Image credit: Maria Mallaband Care Group
