SECOND World War ambulance driver Elizabeth Alexander celebrated a wonderful life at her 100th birthday party.

SECOND World War ambulance driver Elizabeth Alexander celebrated a wonderful life at her 100th birthday party.

On the big day she received a treasured Telegram from the Queen to mark a fantastic milestone — but she shares more than just a name with the Monarch, as they both served in the Women’s Auxiliary Services during the war.

But her extraordinary life did not end with service in the conflict.

Elizabeth was lucky enough to find two great loves of her life — and tied the knot with her teenage sweetheart at the age of 75.

Her beloved nephew Kenneth said: “She is amazing.

“Elizabeth didn’t have a family of her own so she treated me and my sister like her own. She is definitely our favourite aunty.

“I mean, she was a driver during the war at a time when women wouldn’t have done that kind of thing.” Elizabeth was joined at her birthday bash by her younger brother William, who’s aged 96.

Kenneth added: “Longevity runs in our genes.

“It was lovely that my dad joined her.

“Her other brother lived until he was 91.” It was a poignant day for Elizabeth as her many family and friends came from all over the country to wish her many happy returns.

They reminisced with Elizabeth about her amazing 100 years.

Elizabeth was born on 31 May 1915 and spent her early years living in Murdieston Street.

Her working life was spent largely in Russells the drapers. A young woman during the Second World War, she met and fell in love with Tommy Ferguson, a professional footballer who played for both St Mirren and Motherwell.

The pair shared a love of tennis and met at a club.

The couple were separated for long spells during the war as he was sent to serve in Burma.

They were engaged for 15 years and finally tied the knot in 1956, living happily together in Greenock until Tommy died in 1987.

In the years after that Elizabeth was reunited with her childhood sweetheart Robert Alexander.

They had been separated when Robert, an electrician, was sent to Plymouth for the war effort.

At the age of 75 Elizabeth married Robert in 1991 in Sorn Church in Ayrshire, where her nephew was a minister.

Her other nephew Kenneth added: “She asked me what I thought at the time and I said to go for it. You only live once.” Elizabeth then packed up and moved her life to Plymouth where she stayed until Robert passed away in 2009.

After that she moved back home to Greenock and lived in Abbeyfield before becoming a resident in Alt-Na-Craig House.

Her niece Moyra said: “It was lovely on the day of her birthday because she had family from all over.

“Uncle Robert’s family in Plymouth came up and there were nieces and nephews from Uncle Tommy’s side. It was just lovely.”