Former army personal trainer who served during World War Two turns 100 at home in Northampton

A former army personal trainer during World War Two, who lives in Northampton turns 100 today (February 20).

Marguerite Barrett, who is known as Rita, still lives independently at her home in Little Billing and prior to the pandemic, still enjoyed a social life by attending clubs like Age UK.

The great, great grandmother, who was born in Blyth near Newcastle, credits her athleticism for her long, healthy life.

In 1939, just before she turned 18, Rita was enlisted to the army where she started as a clerk before she was asked if she wanted to train as a personal trainer.

Rita said: “That was right up my street as I had always been interested in athletics.

“For the training I was sent to Stirling and I had to climb up the steep side of the castle to prove my heart was alright.

“My advice would be to be as athletic as you can and exercise, if possible.

“Always breathe deeply as it gets more oxygen into your body as it helps your blood.

“I really believe in that and I think it is one of the reasons why I have lived so long without a lot of terrible illness.”

Rita married in Tadcaster, Yorkshire in 1941 and finished her career in the army after four years, before moving to Little Billing in 1990.

She added: “I have always been independent and I have never felt my age. I feel more like 61.

“I seem to adapt myself to make the age of the person who I am talking to. It really helps you get along in life and get along with people.

Mother to three sons, grandmother-of-eight, great grandmother to 13 and great, great grandmother to two, Rita is very family orientated.

Despite lockdown meaning Rita’s family - who do not live locally - will be unable to visit, neighbours are planning to stand on the street to sing ‘happy birthday’.

“In lockdown, what can you do? My sons all live far away. They would have been coming, but it will all have to be done on the phone now,” Rita continued.

Jo Alderman, who lives close to Rita and has organised the birthday sing-a-long, added: “She is amazing. Even though she is fragile, she is still such a strong person.

“She’s very family focused and just such a lovely lady.

“We’ve made some cakes and we’re just going to try and make it more special for her because obviously her family can’t come and visit her.

“We’ve also put a note through the doors of our neighbours asking them to sing on the street at 11am.”

Rita is also looking forward to receiving correspondence from The Queen.

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