WHEN Beatrice Adamson was born, space flight was still in the realm of science fiction and the horse was the main form of transport.

Since then, she has lived through two world wars, the moon landings and 21 different prime ministers.

Yesterday, the great grandmother-of-seven celebrated her 105th birthday at her home in New Earswick.

Born on August 23, 1905, in Retford, Nottinghamshire, Mrs Adamson was the fourth of six children. She worked in service before meeting her husband-to-be, Leslie Adamson, in Hull. They married in 1935 and moved to York.

The couple lived in Bean Street, which was where Marygate car park now stands, and Mr Adamson worked at York Carriageworks.

But then war was declared, and in 1940 Mr Adamson enlisted in the army.

Because of the importance of York Station it was feared it, and the surrounding area, would be a prime target for German bombers, so Mr Adamson insisted his wife move back to Retford to live with her parents.

The couple continued to live there throughout their lives but 18 months ago Mrs Adamson once again moved to York to be close to her son, her husband having died about 30 years ago.

Yesterday, Mrs Adamson received a telegram from the Queen and had a celebratory gathering with her family. Her son, Robert, said generally his mother was in good health. He said: “She has difficulty in seeing, hearing and walking but mentally she is very good and her health is generally very good. She has had one other Queen’s message for her 100th but hasn’t wanted any fuss since, but I think she would have been a bit disappointed if there was nothing this year with it being her 105th.”

Mr Adamson said his mother had no secret for longevity and had just led a normal life.


Events of 1905

In the same year Beatrice Adamson was born:

• Trans-Siberian Railway opened

• Battle of Mukden began in Manchuria

• Tsar Nicholas II of Russia agreed to create an elected assembly (the Duma)

• Chelsea FC was founded

• Albert Einstein publishes his special theory of relativity

• The Simplon Tunnel was officially opened through the Alps

• Las Vegas, Nevada was founded when 110 acres of land were auctioned off

• Norway achieved full independence from Sweden

• Actor Henry Fonda was born