A WALLASEY woman has been awarded one of France's highest honours.

Marjorie Shaw, who last year celebrated her 100th birthday, now lives at Calday Manor. She was presented with the Legion d'Honneur by the French Consul, Monsieur Yvan Besnard, at a ceremony there last week.

The President of the French Republic had deemed that Mrs Shaw should be awarded the honour in recognition of her services to France during the First World War. In 1918 Mrs Shaw was an ambulance driver based in Boulogne, where she joined her brother, a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps.

She volunteered for war service as soon as she reached the age of 20 and represented the Women's Legion at the Peace Procession in London in 1919.

Many other members of her family also served in France. Her three brothers-in-law saw action and one was killed at Passchendale, her cousin was killed in Flanders and her aunt served as a nurse and was awarded a Mons Star.

In the Second World War she was Commandant of the Altrincham Ambulance Depot after she had moved there with her husband. On retirement they moved to Parkgate

When told she would be presented with the award, the lively centenarian said: "I am thrilled by this great honour - but I ask myself 'why me'?"

The ceremony was arranged by the Royal British Legion's Cheshire office.

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