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Wiltshire's oldest resident dies aged 111

Sophie Parker,Wiltshireand
Karen Gardner,Wiltshire
Anne Baker, who died aged 111 on 23 September, talks to Karen Gardner about her memories of WW1 and the 1920s and 30s

Tributes have been paid after Wiltshire's oldest resident has died aged 111.

Anne Baker, a mother-of-five who lived in Salisbury, is also believed to be the oldest person to have received an MBE. She was awarded the medal aged 106 for fundraising for the National Society for the Protection of Children (NSPCC).

Her son David Baker said she started fundraising after World War Two, when lots of children became refugees.

He said: "I think the reason why she lived such an amazingly long life was that she was always positive. Even if there was a minor disaster."

Anne sits smiling at the camera, wearing a cream cardigan and pearls. The silver medal with red ribbon is pinned ot her. Surrounding her in a garden, standing up, are family members and to the left Dame Sarah Troughton
Ms Baker was handed her MBE medal by Dame Sarah Troughton

He described his mother as very loving, "but also a very strong, determined lady".

She died at home on September 23 after her health deteriorated over the summer.

Anne sits on a chair to the right in her home. She smiles at the camera and is at a table with a copy of her book being held up by a reporter wearing a blue jumper.
Ms Baker published four books including one about her father

"She loved children. Children also adored her," said Mr Baker.

She was very proud to have an MBE, which was signed by the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, and given to her by Wiltshire's royal representative, Lord Lieutenant Dame Sarah Troughton.

David Baker Anne, wearing a lavender cardigan and shirt with pearls, smiles sitting next to a bouquet of flowers, which include sunflowers and roses, in a vase. David Baker
Anne Baker passed away at home aged 111

As well as raising money for the NSPCC for more than 50 years, she also published four books.

Her last published work was about her father who was one of the founders of the RAF.

Mr Baker explained that she was an excellent writer, having started out studying English at Oxford, but then moving to politics, philosophy and economics.

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