Red Cross role of centenarian

Mayor of Carrickfergus Alderman Billy Ashe is pictured with Mrs Laura Clarke who celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends in Tamlaght Nursing Home. INCT 07-002-PSB

Laura Clark, who was born on February 7 1914 in Norfolk, received a visit by the Mayor, Alderman Billy Ashe, to mark the occasion.

The eldest of four children of a farming family, Laura moved to Leicester in 1939 and after joining the Red Cross became very involved in running drop-in centres for the poor and elderly.

She only retired from this work when in the 1980s she and her husband moved to Bedford. It was there that she was able to devote more time to her passion, outdoor bowling.

Her husband developed Alzheimer’s and in 1996 they moved to Northern Ireland to be nearer their older daughter in Carrickfergus.

Now a widow, Laura is living in Tamlaght Nursing Home where family joined her on Friday for celebrations.

The Mayor, who presented a bouquet of flowers to the centenarian, commented: “It really is a milestone to be celebrated. I am delighted to be visiting Laura on her 100th birthday.”

Laura, who lived through two world wars, was born the same year as actress Dorothy Lamour and actor Richard Widmark.

February, 7 1914 was also the date on which movie legend Charlie Chaplin introduced his famous character ‘The Tramp’.

And it was the year in which HMHS Britannic, sister to the Titanic, was launched at Harland & Wolff in Belfast.