The secret to becoming the world’s oldest man? Fish and chips! British great-grandfather, 111, who has lived through two world wars and was born the year the Titanic sank credits a curious mind, football and a good chippy for his longevity
A 111-year-old great-grandfather has been officially crowned the world’s oldest man as he credits an inquisitive mind and fish and chips for his extraordinary longevity.
John Alfred Tinniswood received a ‘surprise visit’ from Guinness World Records at the Hollies Rest Home in Southport, Merseyside, on Thursday.
Mr Tinniswood, described as a ‘well-mannered, sweet gentleman’, was born on August 16, 1912 – the same year the Titanic sank – and lived through two world wars.
He was officially declared the world’s oldest living man at 111 years and 222 days after Venezuela’s Juan Vicente Perez died this week at the age of 114. It was expected that 112-year-old Gisaburo Sonobe, from Japan, would 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 presenting a framed certificate to John.
The Hollies said: ‘Today we had a surprise visit from the World Guinness Records as here at The Hollies we have the oldest living man in the world. We call the legend John!
John Alfred Tinniswood received a ‘surprise visit’ from Guinness World Records at the Hollies Rest Home in Southport, Merseyside, on Thursday
After the war, John worked on the accounts of Shell and BP until his retirement in 1972
‘What an absolute honor it is to have such a well-mannered, lovely gentleman with us, we are all so proud. Congratulations Jan.’
Speaking about his 111 years on the planet, he shared Guinness World Records: ‘The world is always changing in its own way. It’s kind of an ongoing experience (…) it’s getting a little better, but not that much. Things are going in the right direction.’
He added, “You either live long or you live short, and there’s not much you can do about it.” John doesn’t believe it has to do with specific lifestyle choices: ‘I eat what they give me, and so does everyone else. I don’t have a special diet.’
When he found out he was the oldest man in the world, he said, ‘It doesn’t make any difference to me. Not at all. I accept it as it is.’
When asked for his advice for the younger generations, he replied: ‘Let them make their own way in the world (…) we are all different in different ways.’
Mr Tinniswood – who neither smokes nor drinks alcohol – has previously revealed he enjoys a chippy dinner every Friday.
He said: ‘Fish and chips has to be my favorite 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 eighty, nothing has really changed.’
The lifelong Liverpool fan was given an administrative role at the Royal Mail during the Second World War because he had problems with his eyesight.
Here 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 worked 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 every year from the late Queen Elizabeth – whom he even met twice.
The retired accountant also received a birthday card from King Charles and Queen Camilla last year.
He said staying active and constantly learning has also helped keep his mind sharp.
John writes that his mind stays sharp by staying active and constantly learning – and also by doing fish and chips.
Born in Liverpool, Mr Tinniswood now has four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren
He said: ‘Staying active is very important. I’ve always loved football, but when I was younger I was part of the Liverpool Ramblers Association, which went on walks around the country.
‘We used to meet at least once a month, and if all the societies from all over Britain met once a year we could fill a whole train. The Rambler’s Associations don’t actually exist anymore and I haven’t walked for a long time, but I continue on here largely as I would if I were still living independently.’
Katie Howard, who worked at Hollies Rest Home, said of Mr Tinniswood in 2021: ‘John is such a gentleman; he is a humble person, gentle and calm with a good sense of humor. He is so young at heart.
‘He still has a great long-term memory and loves chatting, listening to the news on the radio and reading the newspapers.’
Mr Tinniwsood was born just twenty years after his beloved Liverpool FC was founded in 1892. He has witnessed all of the club’s eight FA Cup victories and 17 of their 19 title victories.
The world’s oldest man ever was Jiroemon Kimura, from Japan, who died in 2013 at the age of 116 years and 54 days
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 in 2013 at the age of 116 years and 54 days
He was 27 when World War II broke out, but due to vision problems he took on an administrative role in the Army Pay Corps. In addition to his work in the field of accounting and auditing, he was also involved in locating stranded soldiers and organizing food supplies.
Mr Tinniswood became the oldest living man in Britain 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 death of 114-year-old Juan Vincente Mora on April 2.
The world’s oldest man ever was Jiroemon Kimura, from Japan, who died in 2013 at the age of 116 years and 54 days.
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 France’s Jeanne Calment, who died in 1997 at ages 122 and 164 days.