Former Emergency Relief Volunteer Margaret, 102, Enjoys Surprise Birthday Visit

A former volunteer for an all-female emergency relief charity has celebrated her 102nd birthday at a New Forest care home.

Iris ‘Margaret’ Honeyman, a resident at Colten Care’s Court Lodge in Lymington, served in the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry in the Second World War while working at the Foreign Office in London.

Like fellow Yeomanry members, she provided help on a range of war-related tasks including nursing and intelligence services.

One focus for Margaret was aiding Foreign Office work in support of the French Resistance, something she has described as “very challenging but enjoyable”.

In recognition of her birthday, career achievements and voluntary service, Court Lodge staff invited present day Yeomanry members to come along to wish Margaret well.

Companionship Team Leader Julia Puia said:
“Our surprise guests arrived in full uniform and joined Margaret’s friends as everyone settled down for a ‘Happy Birthday’ afternoon tea.

“Chatting to Margaret, they were amazed to hear her stories about the Second World War.”

“Margaret couldn’t quite believe that they had made time in their busy schedules to come and see her. “

“However, we assured her that the pleasure was all theirs, as they felt so privileged to hear about the history of the Yeomanry from someone who had been a member during such a significant time.”

The Yeomanry was founded in 1907 and while the original name is still widely used, it became formally known as the Princess Royal’s Volunteer Corps in 1999.

Volunteers are trained to support both military and civilian authorities. In recent years they have helped in the relief efforts after emergency situations such as terrorist attacks and the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017.

Also as part of her birthday celebrations, cat-lover Margaret enjoyed a Colten Care minibus trip to make some new furry friends at the Hotel Cat in Sway.