UK man is world's oldest at 113

[edesignuk]

World War I veteran Henry Allingham is the world's oldest man following the death of a 113-year-old in Japan, Guinness World Records has confirmed.

Mr Allingham, one of only two surviving WWI veterans in the UK and the last surviving founder member of the RAF, was born on 6 June 1896.

He was born in Clapton, London, and now lives at St Dunstan's Centre for blind ex-service personnel near Brighton.

Tomoji Tanabe died in his sleep at his home in southern Japan, aged 113.

Mr Tanabe was named as the world's oldest man in June 2007 and credited his longevity to drinking a daily glass of milk. BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/sussex/8108746.stm).

Damn, born in 1896. Incredible to think of what he has seen in his lifetime.

[conch575]

I've noticed that super-old people all live in Japan. It must be healthier over there.

[toolbox]

Good on him, hope he has a few more years left in him. Great achievement.

[mscriv]

BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/sussex/8108746.stm).

Damn, born in 1896. Incredible to think of what he has seen in his lifetime.

Seriously, the way the world has changed has got blow your mind. Things that were perceived as "magic" or "science fiction" in his childhood are now a reality.

[Don't panic]

do they count for 208?:D
http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/02mG6kZ9YN50S/610x.jpg

"Chinese 104-year-old Cao Xiaoqiao (R) combs her hair beside her elder twin sister Cao Daqiao on the outskirts of Shiqiaozi town in Zhucheng, Shandong province June 18, 2009. Born in 1905, they are now the oldest pair of twin sisters in China, local media reported"

[MrSmith]

We may not get the World Cup. We may not got Wimbledon. But, by God, no one can take this from us!

But seriously, congratulations to Mr Allingham. History in real life.

Unfortunately there appear to be only two (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surviving_veterans_of_World_War_I) 19th century-ers left. Enjoy it while you can. I saw a Boer veteran when I was younger...

[Scepticalscribe]

I have seen him on documentaries - he is clear, lucid, articulate and humane, an incredible human being - and he was present at last year's Remembrance Day ceremonies; it is not just what he has seen in his life, but having survived the First World war, what he has personally lived through. Absolutely incredible and worth celebrating, both for who he is and indeed, what he represents, as someone who is still alive (and lucid) who bore witness to what happened.

In the early 1990s, I remember reading a heart-breaking and horrendous paragraph in the London Observer; it briefly mentioned the death of a First World War veteran, then well into his 90s, who had been committed to a mental hospital in 1926 as a result of injuries - mental and physical - received during the First World War, which he had never recovered from. The piece went on to say that this chap, then in his early twenties, had joined up in August 1914 with some friends and had been badly wounded in 1917. Horrific to realise that this affected him for the rest of his life. I remember looking at the dates and realising that this chap had been in a mental home for well over 60 years as a result of what happend during the First War.

Cheers

[OutThere]

Love this:

"When asked for the secret of his long life, he always says: 'cigarettes, whiskey and wild, wild women.'".

:D

[Jaffa Cake]

Well done, Mr Allingham.

Love this:

"When asked for the secret of his long life, he always says: 'cigarettes, whiskey and wild, wild women.'".Looks like Cao Xiaoqiao and Cao Daqiao are in luck, then. ;)

[BoyBach]

Mr. Allingham passed away this morning. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8157128.stm)

Top innings, sir.

[dmr727]

Oh bummer. RIP Mr. Allingham.

[MacNut]

Mr. Allingham passed away this morning. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8157128.stm)

Top innings, sir.Once you become the oldest person alive you know you are doomed.

[Jaffa Cake]

Once you become the oldest person alive you know you are doomed.To be honest, we all are sooner or later.

Sad news, this.

[killerrobot]

Once you become the oldest person alive you know you are doomed.

Perhaps this thread jinxed it for him.;)

Bummer though. Anyone know who is the world's oldest now?

[theMaccer]

I've noticed that super-old people all live in Japan. It must be healthier over there.

I think it has some to do with their diet. they eat a lot of fish.

[Keniff]

BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/sussex/8108746.stm).

Damn, born in 1896. Incredible to think of what he has seen in his lifetime.

Amazing, much respects to him!
I hope there was plenty of Whisky and Women along the way ;)


....Doffs Hat