A WOMAN who held a number of prestigious army and police posts, has celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by three generations of family.

Shirley Margot Reynolds (Nee Whitaker) was born on June 2, 1921 in Silsden, Yorkshire to parents Alfred Watson Whitaker and Mary Dorothea Whitaker.

She grew up in Ilkley then Pudsey, where she went to school. After school she worked as a clerk in an insurance company in Leeds.

In 1942, she was conscripted into the ATS and was trained in Army administration.

After training, her first appointment was in Milford, Derbyshire with the Royal Engineers Works Services, and two years later she was posted to Carnforth, Lancashire where she was in charge of the company offices for the 19th Holding Battalion.

Within six months of being conscripted, Shirley was made sergeant.

When she was demobbed from the ATS in 1946, Shirley joined the Metropolitan Police.

After training, Shirley was stationed for some time at Marylebone Lane where she walked the beat around the West End.

On the wedding day of Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh, she was on duty outside Buckingham Palace and had clear sight of the couple as they set off in the car for their honeymoon.

In 1948, she met Albert Henry Reynolds, also a serving police officer. In the war, Albert had served with the Pathfinder Group as a pilot flying Mosquitoes and was a talented sportsman.

They married at St Marylebone Parish Church on July 8, 1948 and remained together until Albert died in 2005 at the age of 87.

Shirley resigned from the Met Police in 1950 when expecting first child Jackie, with her second daughter, Beverley, arriving in 1955.

After spending time at home with her young daughters, Shirley retrained as a teacher and worked in primary education until her retirement in 1981. Her last position was at Orley Farm School in Harrow.

Following retirement, the couple moved to their home in Yarmouth where Shirley still resides.

The pair attended services at nearby St James' Church, and Shirley was a founder member of the River Club which used to meet in Yarmouth.

Shirley attributes her longevity to a strong work ethic, positive attitude and supportive family.

She celebrated her birthday with her daughters, six grandchildren and five great grandchildren as well as a few friends, with the Royal Solent Yacht Club providing an excellent tea.