Lifelong Warminster resident dies at 103

A woman who lived in Warminster all her life has died aged 103.

Hilda Pinnell died on 24th April after a lifetime living, working and raising a family in the town.

She was born in a house in Furlong in 1923 and was educated at the British School in North Row, where she attended at the same time as child Hollywood star Freddie Bartholomew, before later going to the Old Close School.

During the Second World War, she trained and worked as a cheesemaker in Station Road.

In 1944, she married at the Minster Church of St Denys and moved into a home in Luxfield Road.

“So, I came along in 1946, and my sister came along in 1950,” said her son David Lane.

In around 1954, she was hospitalised for four months after a brick fell from a building in the High Street and hit her on the head.

“It was a difficult time for the family,” said David. “My dad died quite early on when I was young, so she raised myself and my sister through a difficult time. Then she rekindled a friendship with somebody she went to school with, married again, and was sublimely happy; I’ve never seen her so happy.”

She married Gordon Pinnell in 1966 and lived with him until his death 14 years ago. She remained in her Luxfield Road home for more than 80 years, only moving into a care home after turning 103.

Her funeral will take place on Friday 22nd May at The Minster Church.