23/03/2026
Our final spotlight is the brilliant Elyse, who lives at Tonbridge House Care Home, Tonbridge.
Elyse grew up in Tonbridge, and, at age 19, she worked in a shop in The Pantiles where she trained as a chocolatier. While this was a highly skilled profession, as the Second World War went on chocolate became scarce, so Elyse decided to enlist in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force. As she was under 21, Elyse's father had to give written permission for her to join.
Elyse's first posting was to Leeds, where she spent six months training in telephony. After completing her training, Elyse was sent to Harrogate, where she worked as a signaller. This role was crucial to the RAF's operational success, covering a wide range of technical and communication duties that ensured the men were available to take up front-line combat roles. Elyse recalls that the signallers were based in a hotel ballroom, which she remembers with great fondness.
During this time, Elyse was introduced to her future husband, John, who was an RAF Officer. As officers were not allowed to court women of a lower rank, Elyse and John had to keep their courtship a secret. Despite this, they shared many treasured moments, including John taking Elyse for dinner at the Red Lion, where she had lobster thermidor for the first time!
While they were courting, John was posted to Devon, and he invited Elyse to visit. On a beautiful moonlit evening, John proposed to Elyse, and, wanting to savour the moment, she asked if she might answer the next day. The next morning, as Elyse was on her train waiting to depart, John asked through the carriage window if she had considered the question. Elyse said yes, she would marry him! 💍
During their engagement, John was posted to Canada to train as a navigator of Lancaster Bombers, but he continued to write to Elyse and send her thoughtful gifts. Some of these included Broadway programmes from his trips to New York and Chanel No 5.
To this day, as her 105th birthday nears, Elyse only wears Chanel No 5 💗
Thank you for sharing your story, Elyse!