Secrets of a Long Life

Have you heard the story of 109-year old Henry Allingham, oldest known English survivor of the Great War? I love it! When asked by reporters for his secret to longevity, he apparently laughed and replied "cigarettes, whiskey and wild wild women -- and a good sense of humour."

Obviously a lot of good luck played a role, too.

On his 109th birthday, Allingham quipped, "It's going to be a great day and I'll be having a drink or two for sure."

He was eighteen when the First World War began in 1914, and he enlisted, working as a mechanic on biplanes. A winner of France's Legion d"Honneur, he survived the horrific battles of Ypres and the Somme, and was a crew member on a small ship during the Battle of Jutland.

Amazingly, Allingham survived his wife and two daughters, who lived into their eighties.

Here is the ultimate survivor. According to the BBC, he more soberly admitted: "I've had two major breakdowns, one during the war and one after but both when I was trying to do the work of three men. . . The trick is to look after yourself and always know your limitations."

I'm not sure how long this link will be viable, but here's one to the BBC. There are several now available on the internet:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/southern_counties/4613587.stm

Happy birthday, Mr. Allingham! Bravo! And here's to cigarettes, whiskey and wild wild women -- and a good sense of humor.