'Take it in my stride': World's oldest man celebrates 112th birthday

The world's oldest man , John Alfred Tinniswood , turned 112 in a care home in Merseyside. Born in 1912, Tinniswood believes he has managed to live for so long only because he is lucky and follows a simple tradition of fish and chips every Friday, reported the Guardian.

Earlier this year, he became the world's oldest living man after the passing of 114-year-old Juan Vicente Pérez from Venezuela. Tinniswood, already the UK's oldest man since 2020, reflected on his rich life experiences and offered advice to younger generations .

A lifelong Liverpool FC fan and wartime veteran
Tinniswood is a devoted Liverpool football fan, born in the city just 20 years after the club's founding. He has witnessed almost all of Liverpool FC's major victories, including eight FA Cup wins. He met his wife, Blodwen, at a dance in Liverpool, and they were married for 44 years until her death in 1986. They had a daughter, Susan, born in 1943, and Tinniswood is now a great-grandfather.

During the Second World War, he served in an administrative role for the Army Pay Corps, making him the world's oldest surviving male veteran of that conflict. He then served as an accountant for companies like Shell and BP, post-war, before retiring in 1972. Even at this age, Tinniswood lives his life independently; he manages his own finances, keeps himself updated by listening to the news on the radio, and even gets out of bed without any assistance.

Reflections on longevity and life changes
Reflecting on his longevity, Tinniswood said, "You either live long or you live short, and you can’t do much about it. 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, why I’ve lived that long I have no idea at all. 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. No different at all."

He emphasised moderation as a possible key to his long life, saying, "I eat what they give me and so does everybody else. I don’t have a special diet. If you drink too much or you eat too much or you walk too much, if you do too much of anything, you’re going to suffer eventually."

Witness to a century of change and advice to younger generations
For a decade, Tinniswood received a birthday card from the late queen, beginning on his 100th birthday in 2012. He has witnessed the tenures of 24 UK prime ministers.

When asked how he had seen the world change, Tinniswood commented, "The world, in its way, is always changing. It’s a sort of ongoing experience … It’s getting a little better but not all that much yet. It’s going the right way."

Tinniswood also offered advice to younger generations, "Always do the best you can, whether you’re learning something or whether you’re teaching someone. Give it all you’ve got. Otherwise, it’s not worth bothering with."