How Edna helped conquer Everest
A WOMAN who made the boots worn by Sir Edmund Hillary when he conquered Everest is reaching her own personal milestone.
EDNA Wilkes with her daughter Louise Percival as they prepare for her big day.
Edna Wilkes celebrates her 100th birthday on Saturday, safe in the knowledge of her vital contribution to one of the greatest achievements of the 20th Century.
She was a manager at Greengate and Irwell's clothing factory in Salford, the company employed to provide the boots for the 1953 expedition, which became the first to scale the then world's highest mountain.
Edna recalled the days when the factory was buzzing with the honour.
She said: "I remember having to instruct the girls on the factory floor how to make the outfits and the boots and yes, we were very honoured to be chosen for the job.
"Everyone followed the coverage of ascent on the radio - we didn't have a television in those days!"
Her daughter Louise Percival said: "The work was done partly by Greengate and Irwell's rubber company, which was on the same site, and by the clothing side,"
"Mum was given the honour of making his boots. It's something she still talks about and is very proud of to this day."
Edna, from Acresfield Road, Irlams o'th' Height, has led a colourful life, having been born prematurely at the age of seven months and not being expected to live.
Her father died during the First World War, when he was serving as an officer during the Gallipoli campaign.
Edna grew up to manage not only the Greengate and Irwell factory in Salford but several of the company's other sites as well.
She was also sent by the company to Australia to oversee the start of their factory in Melbourne and stayed for two years. After that she was also sent to manage a factory for the company in North Wales.
Travel is still on her agenda today as she regularly travels to Spain where her daughter has a home.
Edna also has a son John, three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren and is celebrating with a family meal at Worsley Old Hall before flying back to Spain to celebrate with friends.
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