Dorothy Sivier and Kathleen Whitehead, from Rochester, Kent, celebrated their centenary in the house built by their grandparents, where they lived since childhood.

Gemini life

The sisters were born in 1920, and despite their different personalities, according to their own words, they never quarreled.

Kat, who is considered the oldest because she was born a few minutes early, was once engaged but never married and had no children.

Dottie is a widow with three children, six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

They have dedicated their long lives to drinking wine and chocolate and finding a balance between exercising, eating healthy and having a great group of girlfriends.

Dottie, who until recently lived in Tunbridge Wells, says: ‘I came here because of the quarantine

to be close to my sister and now we are both 103 years old together. It was nice to live together then.’

The ladies are calm about the fact that they are already one hundred and three years old. They had a

picnic in the garden under a canopy. Family and friends came to visit and did they really enjoy the outdoor celebration?

‘We had a great time together. It was good and we want to thank all the people who made our birthday so happy and sweet.

Spending time together put us in a positive mood while we stayed home and ate chocolate. We play card games together and just talk a lot,’ said the sisters.

Born in Chatham, Kent, Dottie and Cat enjoyed riding the tram with their parents on riverside picnics as children.

They had just turned 19 when World War II broke out in 1939, and both sisters contributed to the fight against the Nazis.

The sisters had the opportunity to see a lot in their lives. Kat was drafted into the army and worked as a radar operator.

Dottie worked as a radiographer in a London hospital and was sent to Winchester to examine the wounded from Normandy.

Over the past century, the twins have taken numerous vacations, visiting most of Europe, as well as Canada and Scandinavia.

Kat said: ‘We always cooperated very well. They never fought and were always very close. We buy the

same things and share everything. Even when we’re apart, we do the same things and buy the same bags.’

Doty’s daughter Margaret, 74, says: ‘Mom has a brilliant mathematical mind. He is very tech savvy,

so in the 80’s he used to Skype us and send messages to the computer. Aunt Kate has created beautiful pictures and is always singing.’