By Isle of Wight Observer
Sandown has lost a valued and much-loved member of the community, with the death of 102-year-old Peggy Forward.
Peggy was a friend to many Sandownians over many years, and participated in activities and events within the town. Until recently, she was an active member of Sandown Townswomen’s Guild evening branch, and regularly attended St John’s Church.
During the last war, Peggy enlisted to train as a carpenter, and helped to build Bailey Bridges at Melville Hall Hotel, in Sandown.
These were used by Allied Troops at the Normandy Landings and D-Day invasion.
Former town mayor, Heather Humby, said: “Peggy was an amazing and inspiring lady, with many memories of Sandown to relate. In recent years, Peggy was overwhelmingly voted Citizen of the Year by the residents of Sandown.”
More recently Peggy was amongst centenarians to meet the Earl and Countess of Wessex (now Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh) on their visit to the Bay. She also contributed anecdotes to the ‘Growing Up In The Bay – The War Years’ film on YouTube, and wrote a Vectis View for the IW Observer.