A FIERCELY independent 99 year old named after the Armistice Day she was born on has been flooded with cards and gifts after carers realised her 100th might go un-noticed.

Dilys Armistice Fox has outlived most of her family and never had children of her own.

Staff at the Salvation Army care home in Hassocks where she now lives posted a message on a local Facebook forum hoping to get one or two cards.

Since the message appeared, Dilys has been inundated with gifts, cards and visitors.

Dilys was born on November 11, 1918 near Caerphilly, Wales and is still going strong.

Staff at Villa Adastra in Hassocks asked locals to send her a card as over the years the numbers arriving on her birthday have dwindled.

In a Facebook post, Sharon Puttick, head of care, wrote: “We have a very special lady who will be turning 100 on Armistice Day.

“Her actual middle name is Armistice! I know it’s a big ask but we wondered if any of you would like to send her or make her a card?

“She doesn’t have anyone other than us near by and we would like to make it a special day for her. She loves children and used to be a children’s nanny so if any of the local schools, play schools or clubs would like to take part we would be very grateful.”

Sharon said they have been overwhelmed by the response from the community.

“We’ve had school children, clubs, nurseries, everybody wants to come and visit Dilys,” Sharon said.

Even though she could be receiving the traditional telegram from the palace, Dilys is no stranger to Royalty.

Her late husband Henry Edward Fox was head gardener at Winsor and the couple lived on the grounds.

“I used to go to church with the Queen,” Dilys said.

“We lived at the end of the Long Walk on the left. We lived there for about 11 years.”

Despite never having children of her own, Dilys worked as a nanny for a family in London.

“When the war came, they told me I would have to do war work. I said I would go mad if I had to work in a factory, so I asked them to put me somewhere with children. They put me at the maternity hospital at Farnborough.”

Asked for her secret to her longevity, Dilys said: “I’m very independent. I make my own bed every morning, even to this day, and I get myself washed and dressed.

“There’s no flies on me,” Dilys joked.

“It’s lovely to see all the children. There was one little girl who took my hand and wouldn’t let go,” she said.

Villa Adastra are hoping Dilys will take it a bit easier over the next few days leading up to her birthday.

“She is 100 after all,” Sharon said.