World’s oldest man John Tinniswood celebrates 112th birthday
The world’s oldest living man, John Alfred Tinniswood (b. 26 August 1912), is turning 112 years old.
He’s celebrating the occasion at his care home in Southport, England, with his family and friends.
We recently caught up with him to see how he’s been getting on since becoming the oldest man on Earth earlier this year.
“It didn’t affect me in any way really, to be honest with you,” John admitted. “Personally, it doesn’t mean a thing.”
When asked how it feels to be turning 112, he replied: “In all honesty, no different. I don’t feel that age, I don’t get excited over it. That’s probably why I’ve reached it. I just take it in my stride like anything else.
“I can’t think of any special secrets I have. I was quite active as a youngster; I did a lot of walking. But to me, I’m no different [to anyone]. No different at all.”
In the same year John was born, the Titanic sank, Arizona became a US state, and the 268-year reign of China’s Qing dynasty came to an end.
He’s lived through an incredible number of technological advances, not to mention countless wars – in fact, he’s the world’s oldest surviving male World War II veteran, having served in the Royal Army Pay Corps. As well as administering finances, his work involved locating stranded soldiers and organizing food supplies.
He chuckled when asked how the world has changed throughout his life, replying: “It’s no better in my opinion, or hardly any better, than it was then. Probably in some places it is, but in other places it’s worse.
“The world has gone smaller because of modern travel, principally caused by the aeroplane.
“But since then, I can’t think of anything else that’s made the world much different. That’s only my opinion. Otherwise, it’s about the same.”
Besides eating a portion of fish and chips every Friday, John doesn’t follow any particular diet, and his main advice for staying healthy is to practice moderation.
In addition to performing many of his daily tasks unassisted, including getting in and out of bed, he still manages his own finances and keeps up with global politics via the radio.
Mentally, he feels a lot younger than he is, and when asked if maintaining an active brain is the reason why he’s lived so long, he replied with a laugh: “I’m not 112 years old. Well, I’m getting on, aren’t I?”
Describing what he thinks the world will be like in a further 112 years, John said: “Oh good lord! Well, I want to say more honesty between the various countries. They all put, including our own, all put on a bit of show now and again.”
John enjoyed 44 years of marriage to his wife Blodwen, who passed away in 1986.
The couple had a daughter, Susan, who gave them four grandchildren, and John now also has three great-grandchildren.
John’s other lifelong love is Liverpool F.C., which was founded just 20 years before he was born. He’s lived through all eight of their FA Cup wins and 17 of their 19 league title wins.
“Most people looked upon Liverpool as the football team,” he said. “Everton were looked upon as the smaller one – very nice, mind you – but Liverpool Football Club was looked at as the football club.”
After turning 100, John received a birthday card every year from the late Queen Elizabeth II, who was John’s junior by almost 14 years.
He is the fourth-oldest British man in recorded history, two months away from surpassing Bob Weighton and 13 months away from taking the top spot, held by Henry Allingham (1896-2009).
Becoming the world’s oldest man ever is a more distant prospect, with the title belonging to Japan’s Jiroemon Kimura (1897-2013) who lived to be 116.
The title of oldest living woman – and oldest living person overall – recently fell to 116-year-old Tomiko Itooka (Japan), following the death of 117-year-old Maria Branyas Morera.
The oldest person ever with a fully authenticated age was a woman named Jeanne Calment (1875–1997) from France, who reached the astonishing age of 122.
Pictures by Ian Briscoe