When asked the secret to his longevity, John Tinniswood – who has lived through both world wars – put it all down to “just luck”.
The world’s oldest living man has turned 112 – and revealed the British classic he eats every Friday.
John Tinniswood was born in Liverpool on 26 August 1912, the year the Titanic sank. He became the world’s oldest living man back in April.
When asked the secret to his longevity, Mr Tinniswood – who lives in a care home in Southport – put it all down to “just luck”.
“I can’t think of any special secrets I have,” he said.
“I was quite active as a youngster, I did a lot of walking. Whether that had something to do with it, I don’t know. But to me, I’m no different [to anyone]. No different at all.
“I just take it in my stride like anything else, why I’ve lived that long I have no idea at all.”
Mr Tinniswood added that apart from a portion of battered fish and chips every Friday, he does not follow any particular diet.
At 112, Mr Tinniswood has lived through both world wars and also holds the title as the world’s oldest surviving male Second World War veteran.
He worked in an administrative role for the Royal Army Pay Corps where his work involved logistical tasks such as locating stranded soldiers and organising food supplies as well as accounting and auditing.
After leaving the army he worked as an accountant for Shell and BP, before retiring in 1972.
He met his wife Blodwen at a dance in Liverpool and enjoyed 44 years of marriage before her death in 1986.
Their daughter Susan was born in 1943. Mr Tinniswood also has four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
He is a lifelong Liverpool FC fan and has lived through all eight of his club’s FA Cup wins and 17 of their 19 league title wins.
Since turning 100 in 2012, he has received a birthday card each year from the late Queen Elizabeth II, a tradition that now falls to the King and Queen Camilla.
Mr Tinniwsood is still four years off the record for the world’s oldest man ever, Jiroemon Kimura from Japan, who lived to the age of 116 years 54 days and died in 2013.
The world’s oldest living woman, and oldest living person, is Japan’s 116-year-old Tomiko Itooka.
