FEW people today can understand the fear and intimidation that an enemy zeppelin hovering 200ft over your home can bring.
During the First World War German zeppelins would fly over London on reconnaissance or bombing missions that would leave Londoners terrified.
For most of us these imposing warships seem like a relic from another age, but 100-year-old Hilda Yarker will never forget the day a zeppelin attack came close to killing her and her family.
"It was so scary, I remember my mum telling us to run, and we huddled together underneath the stairs. Looking back I suppose we were lucky," she said.
The bomb destroyed the other side of the wall at which they were sheltering, but thankfully her family remained safe.
Today's surroundings are far more comfortable – under the kind care of the staff at the Ashley House residential home in Moulsham Street, Chelmsford.
And last Monday Hilda enjoyed her 100th birthday with her family, staff and friends and Marks & Spencer donated a birthday cake and box of chocolates for free.
She said: "I'm so pleased to be having my birthday and everyone was excited about it."
Born in Deptford, south east London in 1913, her father was a deep sea fisherman so they moved to Hull in her early childhood.
Her first stop in Essex was at Galleywood before moving to a house in South Woodham Ferrers that had no electricity or central heating.
When she turned 16 she received a knock on the door from her next door neighbour.
"I had been living there for nine months when my next-door neighbour Cyril knocked at the door," she said.
"He asked to speak to my mum, and had come round to ask her permission to ask me out, things were a lot different back then.
"And my mother was pleased to see me become much more independent."
She married Cyril and had four children, Joyce, Betty, Sheila and Vernon, but sadly Vernon, 77, an ex-pilot with the RAF, is the only surviving sibling.
During the Second World War, Hilda worked for the War Agriculture Committee in South Woodham Ferrers, whilst Cyril joined the Home Guard and grew vegetables.
Her prized possession was an almond green Mini she bought in 1976.
She said: "I loved that car, I really did, and not everyone had a car then so I always loved taking trips in it."
Despite her age Hilda remains in good health and the staff at Ashley House joke that they take more tablets than her.
But her secret to long-life is enjoying a drop of whisky. "I worked in a pub so that's how I got to like whisky, I will have a little to celebrate," she said.
