Sheffield World War Two veteran will be having a toast in her home this VE day

Katherine Crookes, aged 95, from Whirlow, joined the RAF when she was just 17 years old in 1942.

She trained in Morecambe and went on to work in a control tower in Shrewsbury.

She said: “I rather enjoyed it back then.

“The commanding officer at the time once told me that he was proud to have me on his team.”

Katherine is currently confined to her house due to the pandemic but says on Friday, May 8 she will be toasting the 75th anniversary of VE day, having a little sing and will enjoy some food out in the garden.

“I worked with young men who were only 21 or 22 and hardly any of them ever came back,” she added.

“I don’t have many memories of VE day.

“It was so long ago now but I have a chair in my front garden where I can sit on Friday.”

Katherine known as just ‘K’ to her family jokes that she would still fit in her RAF uniform to this day if given the chance.

Enid Dickinson, aged 80, Katherine’s niece, said: “She’s a very special lady.

“She has been through a lot in her life; she lost her husband and her daughter.”

After the war finished Katherine went on to work in the HSS office on West Street where she was a benefits officer.

She is also a keen lover of books and cruises which she often takes with family members.

Paul Dickinson, aged 54, Katherine’s great nephew, said: “She’s the best auntie that anyone could ask for.

“I have fond memories of her home smelling of wet wool at Christmas because she always sent the rugs away to be cleaned before the holidays.

“She can be a bit barking in the most fabulous way.

“I know she was very proud of the work she did when she was in the RAF.

“She never felt like it was a downgrade to be a woman in the forces.”

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