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7 months ago
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A 111-year-old great-grandfather has officially been crowned the world's oldest man - as he credits a curious mind and fish and chips for his extraordinary longevity.
John Alfred Tinniswood was paid a 'surprise visit' by Guinness World Records at the Hollies Rest Home in Southport, Merseyside, on Thursday.
Mr Tinniswood, described as a 'well mannered, lovely gentleman', was born on August 16, 1912 - the same year that the Titanic sank - and he has lived through two world wars.
He was officially declared the world's oldest living man at 111 years and 222 days after Juan Vicente Perez, from Venezuela, died aged 114 this week. 112-year-old Gisaburo Sonobe, from Japan, was expected to become the new record holder but he sadly passed away on March 31.
Mr Tinniswood's care home confirmed the record in a Facebook post, with Guinness delivering a framed certificate to John.
The Hollies said: 'Today we had a surprise visit from the World Guinness Records, as we have the world's oldest living man here at The Hollies.. The legend we call John!
John Alfred Tinniswood was paid a 'surprise visit' by Guinness World Records at the Hollies Rest Home in Southport, Merseyside, on Thursday
After the war, John worked in accounts for Shell and BP up until his retirement in 1972
'What an absolute honour it is to have such a well mannered, lovely gentleman with us, we are all so proud. Congratulations John.'
Who is John Alfred Tinniswood?
John Alfred Tinniswood was officially crowned the world's oldest man on April 4, 2024.
Aged 111 years and 222 days, Mr Tinniswood has lived through two world wars.
During the Second World War, he served in an administrative role for the Royal Mail because he had problems with his eyesight.
But he did also help with locating stranded soldiers and organising food supplies.
Following the war, he worked in accounts for Shell and BP up until he retired in 1972.
He was born in Liverpool on August 26, 1912 - the same year the Titanic sank.
Mr Tinniswood, who does not smoke and rarely drinks alcohol, is a lifelong Liverpool FC fan.
He was born just 20 years after the club was founded and has stuck by them through the highs and lows.
He met his wife, Blowden, at a dance in Liverpool before they married in 1942. A year later, they had their daughter Susan.
The couple were married for 44 years until Blowden's death in 1986.
Mr Tinniswood now has four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
He became the oldest living man in the UK following on September 25 2020, following the death of 108-year-old Harry Fransman.
But he is now the new oldest man in the world following the passing of 114-year-old Juan Vincente Mora on April 2.
Source: Guinness World Records
Speaking about his 111 years on the planet, he told Guinness World Records: '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.'
He added: 'You either live long or you live short, and you can't do much about it.' John doesn't believe it's down to any specific lifestyle choices: 'I eat what they give me and so does everybody else. I don't have a special diet.'
On finding out he was the oldest man in the world he said: 'Doesn't make any difference to me. Not at all. I accept it for what it is.'
When asked for his advice for younger generations, he replied: 'Let them make their own way in the world […] we're all different in different ways.'
Mr Tinniswood - who does not smoke or drink alcohol - has previously revealed that he loves tucking into a chippy dinner every Friday.
He said: 'Fish and chips have got to be my favourite dish, it's always been such a treat, and I think looking forward to my next visit to the chippy has kept me young. I feel the same now as I did when I was in my 80s, nothing has changed really.'
The lifelong Liverpool fan was given an administrative role with the Royal Mail during the Second World War because he had problems with his eyesight.
This is where he met his wife, Blowden, at a dance in Liverpool before they tied the knot in 1942. Marrying Blowden is one of his fondest memories.
The couple welcomed their only child, Susan, in 1943, before spending 44 happy years together until Blowden's death in 1986.
He now has four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Before retiring in 1972, he also used to work as a depot clerk and accountant for Shell-Mex and BP, and is now a great-grandfather.
After turning 100 in 2012, he received a birthday card each year from the late Queen Elizabeth - who he even met twice.
The retired accountant was also given a birthday card from King Charles and Queen Camilla last year.
He said keeping active and constantly learning has also helped to keep his mind sharp.
John credits keeping active and constantly learning - as well as fish and chips - with helping to keep his mind sharp.
Mr Tinniswood, who was born in Liverpool, now has four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren
He said: 'Keeping active is very important, I've always loved football but when I was younger I was part of the Liverpool Ramblers Association which went hiking all over the country.
'We used to meet up at least once a month, and when all the associations from all over the UK met up once a year we could fill an entire train. The Rambler's Associations don't really exist anymore and I haven't been hiking for quite some years but I largely carry on here as I would if I was still living independently.'
Speaking about Mr Tinniswood in 2021, Katie Howard, who worked at Hollies Rest Home, said: 'John is such a gentleman; he's a humble person, mild-mannered and calm with a good sense of humour. He's so young at heart.
'He's still got great, long-term memory and loves to chat as well as listening to the news on the radio and reading the newspapers.'
Mr Tinniwsood was born just 20 years after his beloved Liverpool FC was founded in 1892. He has lived through all eight of the club's FA Cup triumphs and 17 of their 19 title wins.
The world's oldest man ever was Jiroemon Kimura, from Japan, who died aged 116 years, 54 days in 2013
The world's oldest living woman - and the oldest living person - is Maria Branyas Morera, who recently turned 117
The world's oldest man ever was Jiroemon Kimura, from Japan, who died aged 116 years, 54 days in 2013
He has 27 when the Second World War broke out but due to having eyesight issues, he took up an administrative role for the Army Pay Corps. As well as working in accounts and auditing, he was also involved in locating stranded soldiers and organising food supplies.
Mr Tinniswood became the oldest living man in the UK following on September 25 2020, following the death of 108-year-old Harry Fransman.
But he is now the new oldest man in the world following the passing of 114-year-old Juan Vincente Mora on April 2.
The world's oldest man ever was Jiroemon Kimura, from Japan, who died aged 116 years, 54 days in 2013.
The world's oldest living woman - and the oldest living person - is Maria Branyas Morera, who recently turned 117.
The certified oldest person ever was French woman Jeanne Calment, who died aged 122 and 164 days in 1997.
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