Woman born prematurely during Spanish Flu pandemic marks 102nd birthday

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A woman who was born prematurely at just 24 weeks has marked her 102nd birthday.

Cefn Fforest resident Lillian Rose Howitt was born on November 20, 1918 – just nine days after the end of World War I and amidst the Spanish Flu pandemic.

The Great-Great-Grandmother weighed just 1.5lbs when she was born, and was so small she was fed with a fountain pen.

However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, Mrs Howitt’s family weren’t able to throw her a party – but have instead planned to take her for a meal at her favourite restaurant.

Mrs Howitt’s granddaughter, Stephanie Davies, said: “Lily has had a really hard year with covid and not being able to see her family, which has been hard for us all.

“We wanted to throw her a big party but were unable to do that, so we’ve done what we could to celebrate her birthday.”

Mrs Howitt’s close family were able to visit her as part of the extended household rules.

Ms Davies described her grandmother as a “tough cookie” and said she’s still “sharp as a knife”.

Growing up, Mrs Howitt had nine siblings, all of which she has outlived. Her father was a miner at Britannia Pit in Pengam and paid £200 for the house she was born in more than a century ago.

During World War II, Mrs Howitt was in Belgium, attending to Army, Navy and Air-force officers.

Mrs Howitt described her role in WWII as being a “jack of all trades”.

It was in Belgium she met her late husband, Bob Howitt. The pair got married in 1945 and were married for 63 years.

Mrs Howitt has three children, five grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren