BIOGRAPHY

Hilda Clulow was born as Hilda May Heath in Selly Park, a suburb of Birmingham, England, on 15 March 1908. Hilda was the third oldest of six children. She married her husband, Arthur, in 1937. They had a son, Barry. She worked as a dressmaker and in a factory in Balsall Heath from the age of 16 until her retirement at 60. She fondly remembered friends and neighbors bringing her fabric to make dresses for them in her back room. Hilda also enjoyed holidays in Blackpool and Cornwall.

In March 2018, she celebrated her 110th birthday at Bowood Court & Mews Care Home, where she had lived for three years. To mark the occasion, she even received a visit from Borough Mayor Jenny Wheeler.

Hilda Clulow passed away in Redditch, Worcestershire, England, on 24 December 2019, at the age of 111 years, 284 days.

RECOGNITION

On 15 October 2019, following the passing of 112-year-old Gwen Payne, she became the oldest living person in the United Kingdom, at the age of 111 years, 214 days. Upon her own passing, she was succeeded by Bob Weighton and Joan Hocquard (who were born on the same day).

Clulow’s age was verified by Dr. Andrew Holmes and validated by the ESO on 18 January 2020.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Happy birthday! Super Redditch centenarian Hilda celebrates 110 years” – Redditch Standard, 15 March 2018

* “Redditch woman Hilda now the oldest person in Britain at 111-years-old” – Redditch Standard, 17 November 2019

* “UK’s oldest woman Hilda Clulow dies aged 111” – BBC, 19 February 2020

GALLERY