Symbolic milestone for oldest man

Henry Allingham celebrates his 112th birthday in June

Britain's oldest man, and one of only three known UK survivors from World War I, has reached the symbolic age of 111 years, 11 months and 11 days.

For Henry Allingham, who lives in East Sussex, it serves as a reminder of the official ending of the war, at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month.

Mr Allingham, who is also the last founder member of the RAF, celebrates his 112th birthday on 6 June.

His life has spanned six monarchs and has taken in 21 prime ministers.

Now partially deaf and almost blind, he lives at St Dunstan's home for blind ex-servicemen, in Ovingdean, near Brighton.

Mr Allingham is the last survivor of the Battle of Jutland in 1916, and also fought at the Somme and Ypres where he was bombed and shelled.

He has joked that the secret to his longevity is "cigarettes, whisky and wild women".

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