Henry Allingham RIP

Henry Allingham lived to be 113 and become the world's oldest man. If one lives that long the world changes considerably. However, men like Henry never change in their core beliefs or their approach to human relationships. He appeared to be a decent man at all times.

There are not many people living today who were born into the reign of Queen Victoria. He saw so much change and he was able to appreciate it to the end, which is a godsend in itself. Much has been written about him and anyone who lives that long is revered and respected by others. Wikipedia has a lot about him plus loads of relevant links.

I have to admit that recently, each time his name was mentioned, I thought, well, it must be anytime now, surely. Not wishing him away, but general curiosity about life and death. I will always remember a radio programme that Michael Buerk did a few years ago on Radio4. It was a summer break thing for Any Questions?. As with that programme, people were encouraged to phone in for a discussion. A 92-year old did just that. Buerk was asking him something, then suggested that a man of such an age could "go tomorrow", so why was he so concerned (in typical Michael Buerk blooper fashion!). The reply came back, like bullet from a gun, "I'm well aware of that, you know!" and then, in sprightly fashion, went on to say what he thought the government should do about whatever the subject was.

That exchange will stick with me. Because it doesn't matter what age you are, you should be interested in things, involved as far as you can be. I think those who just give up are more likely to have a less full-filling life and "go" earlier than they might. Of course, good health has everything to do with it. Henry Allingham just died of extreme old age it seems. I don't know at what age you start to think each morning when you wake up, "My goodness, I'm still alive!", but it must have crossed Henry Allingham's mind. Just when you wake up, mind, not for the whole day. He said life was for living. It is, and he lived it well by all accounts.

Britain's oldest man ever to become teenager again!

Henry Allingham has become a living competition for the Guiness Book of Records. His new record is that of becoming the oldest ever British man, after clocking up 112 years and 296 days. In June he starts life as a teenager again, this time with a 100 year added on.

113 versus 13. When he was 13 in June 1909 life was considerably different. For one thing, an Englishman's home really was his castle. No meddling laws to tell you what you could or could not do. The only thing restricted was castellation, the desire to turn your house into some form of mock castle. Only Royalty was allowed to castellate with impugnity!

In 1909 Irving Berlin had a tune going called Wild Cherries. It was very politically incorrect but he didn't know that. It's first verse goes -

Talk of yo' looney coons
Talk of yo' spoony coons
Lover of coony tunes
Jackson was the leader of a big brass band
Understand
While at a ball one night
Miss Lucinda Morgan White
Yelled out with all her might
When he started playing some familiar tune
She just cried with delight

With songs like that ringing in his ears, it's no wonder Henry's lived so long!