by Andy Gray

agray@thekmgroup.co.uk

Not many people live long enough to receive one telegram from the Queen – let alone two.

But Mary Holding has opened her second ­missive from Her ­Majesty when she reached the grand old age of 105.

Two World Wars, a Moon landing and one very special World Cup win, this centenarian has lived it all.

She even made history herself in the 1950s when she boarded a Dakota plane for one of the first commercial flights out of Britain.

Apart from the occasional flight of fancy Chatham-born Mary, who entered the world on August 9, 1906, has lived a quiet life.

Teetotal and a non-smoker, she spent 33 years running a farm in Coxheath, near Maidstone, with ­husband William and sons John and Frank.

According to Frank, 77, this is key to her longevity. He said: "When you’re working the land you’re eating fresh food and getting plenty of fresh air.

"It also keeps your mind occupied – Mum was able to do crosswords until she was 103."

Before moving to the farm, Mary, who has four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, had various jobs including a local newspaper reporter and nurse.

But her lifelong ­devotion was the ­Women’s Institute after becoming the founding member of the group at Hartlip, near Rainham.

She was also a ­member of the ­Mothers’ Union and put on plays to raise money for the group.

After leaving the farm when their first-born John died in 1985, Mary and William moved to Workhouse Lane in East Farleigh.

She lived there alone after William died in 1993 and didn’t move out until her 100th birthday.

She now lives at the Eastfield Residential Home in Maidstone.