In 1917 Harry Houdini performed his first buried alive stunt; the United States declared war on Germany and Nicholas II, the last Russian tsar, abdicated.

Eastern Daily Press: Dorothy McKechnie celebrates her 100th birthday and with her card from the Queen. Picture: Rebecca MurphyDorothy McKechnie celebrates her 100th birthday and with her card from the Queen. Picture: Rebecca Murphy (Image: Archant)

And on January 7 of that year Dorothy McKechnie was born.

Her family gathered at the Mayfields Care Home in Long Stratton to celebrate her 100th birthday at a special party held by the home.

The centenarian, who has three sons, Neal, Andrew and Stephen, was a nurse in London and at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.

It was at her spell at Addenbrooke's where she met her husband Neil, a Second World War soldier who had broken his leg.

After their son Neal was born they moved to Derssingham, near King's Lynn, where Mrs McKechnie worked at hospices.

Neal McKechnie said: 'It has been wonderful today because she has ups and downs with her health.

'She has enjoyed it immensely with everybody around. She has had a lot of fun with her family.'

Widowed 30 years ago, the grandmother-of-four and great-grandmother-of-two moved into the home in August 2013.

Staff said she enjoys talking about her nursing days, reading and watching television.

Mrs Mckechnie said being teetotal is part of the secret to living to 100 with 'hard work nursing' and swimming 'well into my 70s' the other reasons.

She is the first resident to turn 100 at the care home, which has been open for four years.

Sarah Baldock, head of residents, said: 'It has been lovely. She has been looking forward all week to her card from the Queen.

'We have had residents who have come in aged 100 and over but she is the first to reach 100.

'We do try and make everyone's birthday special. All the residents go to people's birthdays and we want it to be a homely place.'