Could you imagine turning or being alive at 110? Well two men have just turned 110 on 29th March. Coincidentally both men Alfred Smith from Perthshire and Robert Weighton from Hull were born on 29th March 1908. Both Alfred and Robert are Britains oldest living men.
Even though, the men have never met they have both exchanged birthday cards. Both men have lived through 29 general elections and two world wars.
Before he was 20 Alfred emigrated to Canada returning to Scotland five years later. He had two children with his wife Isobel.
“Porridge is helpful and having a job you enjoy.” This is what Alfred when asked about his long life.
Robert was born in Hull and was one of seven children, had three children, ten grandchildren and 25 great- grand children. He also spent time in Taiwan, Japan and Canada working as an engineer. When in an interview he responded “I’ve done nothing to deserve or achieve this age. I’m just one of the lucky ones.”
The oldest ever living person was Jeanne Calment from France who died at 122 years old. The average life expectancy for someone living in the UK was 81 years in 2015. Jeannes age exceeds this by 41 years. The highest average life expectancy is Japan which is 83.84 years.
Misha Patel
Farringtons School
