Former RAF member Henry Allingham, 112, is not only Britain's oldest man and Europe's oldest, he's also the oldest British man in HISTORY.
Mr Allingham turned 112 years and 296 days today, surpassing Welshman John Evans who died in 1990 aged 112 years and 295 days.
He is one of only two surviving WWI veterans in the UK and is the world's oldest Royal Navy veteran.
He joined the Royal Air Service in 1915, before joining the Royal Air Force, the world's oldest air force, at its creation in 1918. He is the last surviving founding member of the RAF. In the years following WWI, the RAF was the world's largest and most powerful air force, with over 20,000 aircraft.
Mr Allingham is also the last survivor of the 1916 Battle of Jutland, when 151 ships of the mighty Royal Navy (about a fifth of the total RN fleet) defeated the German Navy to continue British naval dominance in the North Sea.
Britain's oldest man sets new record by becoming the oldest British man in history at 112
By Daily Mail Reporter
29th March 2009
Daily Mail
Milestone: War veteran Henry Allingham has become the oldest ever British man at the age of 112
Britain's oldest man, Henry Allingham, today reached another milestone in his remarkable life by becoming the oldest ever British man.
Mr Allingham turned 112 years and 296 days today, surpassing Welshman John Evans who died in 1990 aged 112 years and 295 days.
It marks another record for Mr Allingham, who is one of only two surviving First World War veterans in the UK and is the oldest Royal Navy veteran.
He was spending the day quietly with a few visitors at St Dunstan's care home for blind ex-service personnel in Ovingdean, near Brighton, East Sussex.
Mr Allingham, who has dedicated much of his time in recent years to giving talks to schoolchildren about his experiences, will reach 113 years on June 6.
Dennis Goodwin, his close friend and founder of the First World War Veterans' Association, said: 'He has achieved another milestone in his long life and is raising the bar of longevity.
'To be honest the last two years have been littered with milestones but this one is nice for him.
'The next one will come when he becomes a 'teenager' again when he reaches 113 in June.'
Tomorrow Mr Allingham will be made an honorary member of the Royal Naval Association during a low-key presentation at St Dunstan's.
Sealed with a kiss: Henry meets model Nell McAndrew in 2003
Earlier this month he received an upgraded Legion d'Honneur in London, six years after receiving his first one.
He has held the rank of chevalier, or knight, in the Legion d'Honneur since 2003 but was promoted to the rank of officer by French ambassador Maurice Gourdault-Montagne.
Clapton-born Mr Allingham, who has lived through the birth of his first great-great-great-grandchild, joined the Royal Navy Air Service in September 1915 before transferring to the RAF in April 1918.
As well as being the last founder member of the RAF, he is also the sole survivor of the Battle of Jutland.
With Prime Minister Gordon Brown in 2008
An undated pictured of a young Henry (left) and meeting the Queen in 2007
dailymail.co.uk
Mr Allingham turned 112 years and 296 days today, surpassing Welshman John Evans who died in 1990 aged 112 years and 295 days.
He is one of only two surviving WWI veterans in the UK and is the world's oldest Royal Navy veteran.
He joined the Royal Air Service in 1915, before joining the Royal Air Force, the world's oldest air force, at its creation in 1918. He is the last surviving founding member of the RAF. In the years following WWI, the RAF was the world's largest and most powerful air force, with over 20,000 aircraft.
Mr Allingham is also the last survivor of the 1916 Battle of Jutland, when 151 ships of the mighty Royal Navy (about a fifth of the total RN fleet) defeated the German Navy to continue British naval dominance in the North Sea.
Britain's oldest man sets new record by becoming the oldest British man in history at 112
By Daily Mail Reporter
29th March 2009
Daily Mail
Milestone: War veteran Henry Allingham has become the oldest ever British man at the age of 112
Britain's oldest man, Henry Allingham, today reached another milestone in his remarkable life by becoming the oldest ever British man.
Mr Allingham turned 112 years and 296 days today, surpassing Welshman John Evans who died in 1990 aged 112 years and 295 days.
It marks another record for Mr Allingham, who is one of only two surviving First World War veterans in the UK and is the oldest Royal Navy veteran.
He was spending the day quietly with a few visitors at St Dunstan's care home for blind ex-service personnel in Ovingdean, near Brighton, East Sussex.
Mr Allingham, who has dedicated much of his time in recent years to giving talks to schoolchildren about his experiences, will reach 113 years on June 6.
Dennis Goodwin, his close friend and founder of the First World War Veterans' Association, said: 'He has achieved another milestone in his long life and is raising the bar of longevity.
'To be honest the last two years have been littered with milestones but this one is nice for him.
'The next one will come when he becomes a 'teenager' again when he reaches 113 in June.'
Tomorrow Mr Allingham will be made an honorary member of the Royal Naval Association during a low-key presentation at St Dunstan's.
Sealed with a kiss: Henry meets model Nell McAndrew in 2003
Earlier this month he received an upgraded Legion d'Honneur in London, six years after receiving his first one.
He has held the rank of chevalier, or knight, in the Legion d'Honneur since 2003 but was promoted to the rank of officer by French ambassador Maurice Gourdault-Montagne.
Clapton-born Mr Allingham, who has lived through the birth of his first great-great-great-grandchild, joined the Royal Navy Air Service in September 1915 before transferring to the RAF in April 1918.
As well as being the last founder member of the RAF, he is also the sole survivor of the Battle of Jutland.
With Prime Minister Gordon Brown in 2008
An undated pictured of a young Henry (left) and meeting the Queen in 2007
dailymail.co.uk
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