by Nadia Sam-Daliri An incredible woman who walked across Germany by foot to escape Nazi persecution, before finding safety in London, has just turned 102. Maria Barrett celebrated her birthday with the nurses at St Mary s Hospital, in Pr

by Nadia Sam-Daliri

An incredible woman who walked across Germany by foot to escape Nazi persecution, before finding safety in London, has just turned 102.

Maria Barrett celebrated her birthday with the nurses at St Mary's Hospital, in Praed Street, Paddington, on September 18.

Born in Poland in 1906, Ms Barrett went to Germany aged four but left dramatically, fearful that her boyfriend, who had just joined the Nazi party, would turn her in because of her Jewish heritage.

She managed to get to England as a prisoner of war, settled in Paddington and still lives there, in Sutherland Road.

She said: "I don't know how I managed to get here! I'm quite happy though. The nurses are lovely people. They are all beautiful. They talk to me and look after me. I couldn't ask for anything better."

With no children of her own, Ms Barrett helped bring up a close friend's family.

Peter Barrett, 72, who now lives in Kent, met Maria in Maida Vale in 1955 and has kept in touch ever since.

He said: "Everyone in our family has adored Maria when they met her. She's worked hard her whole life. She was an accomplished cook.

"I used to sit and talk with her every day and she'd spend Christmas with us."

Ms Barrett no longer has any blood relatives left in England but the Jacksons try and see her when they can.

She can no longer walk properly but that has not stopped her from causing a buzz around the hospital.

Diana Wurrell, ward manager on St Mary's Albert's ward, said: "She's such a lovely patient.

"She's our only person over 100 at the moment so she's very special to us."

nadia.sam-daliri@archant.co.uk