Oldest Living Man in the World Turns 112 at Care Home in Southport

The world’s oldest living man has turned 112 at his care home in Southport, Merseyside.

John Tinniswood was born in Liverpool on August 26, 1912, the year the Titanic sank. He became the world’s oldest living man in April and attributes his longevity to “just luck”.

When asked how he feels about turning 112, he told Guinness World Records (GWR): “In all honesty, no different.

“I just take it in my stride like anything else, why I’ve lived that long I have no idea at all.”

John Tinniswood

“I don’t feel that age, I don’t get excited over it. That’s probably why I’ve reached it,” he continued. “I can’t think of any special secrets I have. 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.”

Reflecting on the biggest changes he’s observed over his life, John remarked, “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.”

On the secret of his longevity, John reiterated to GWR, “It’s just luck. You either live long or you live short, and you can’t do much about it.”

He indulges in a portion of battered fish and chips every Friday but doesn’t follow any special diet. “I eat what they give me and so does everybody else. I don’t have a special diet,” he mentioned.

John Tinniswood has lived through both world wars and is the world’s oldest surviving male Second World War veteran. He worked in an administrative role for the Army Pay Corps, handling accounts, auditing, and logistical tasks such as locating stranded soldiers and organising food supplies.

After the war, he worked as an accountant for Shell and BP before retiring in 1972.

A lifelong Liverpool FC fan, John was born just 20 years after the club’s founding in 1892. He has witnessed all eight of his club’s FA Cup wins and 17 of their 19 league title victories.

John met his wife, Blodwen, at a dance in Liverpool. The couple enjoyed 44 years together before Blodwen passed away in 1986. Their daughter, Susan, was born in 1943.

Since turning 100 in 2012, John has received a birthday card each year from the late Queen Elizabeth, who was almost 14 years younger than him.

The oldest man ever was Jiroemon Kimura from Japan, who lived to the age of 116 years and 54 days, passing away in 2013. The world’s oldest living woman, and the oldest living person, is Japan’s 116-year-old Tomiko Itooka.

Source: Guinness World Records