World's Oldest Man Henry Allingham

Great War veteran Henry Allingham has become the world's oldest man following the death of 113-year-old Japanese record holder Tomoji Tanabe today.Guinness World Records confirmed Mr Allingham, one of only two surviving World War veterans in the UK, now holds the title.


"It's staggering. He (Allingham) is philosophical. He will take it in his stride, like he does everything else," said Allingham's spokesman, Dennis Goodwin.

"He withdraws in himself and he chews it over like he does all the things he has done in his life. That's his secret I think".

Mr Tanabe died in his sleep at his home in southern Japan earlier today at the age of 113. A city official in Miyakonojo on Japan's southern island of Kyushu said 'he died peacefully' and that his family were at his side when he passed away.

Tanabe, who was born on September 18, 1895, had eight children, 25 grandchildren, 53 great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren.

He was certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's oldest man when he was 111 years old.

After Allingham, the world's next oldest man is the oldest living American, Walter Breuning, who was born on September 21, 1896, according to Damian Field of Guinness World Records.

The world's oldest known person is 115-year-old Gertrude Baines who lives in Los Angeles.

Allingham, who lives in a care home for blind former armed services staff near Brighton, on the southern English coast, is one of three surviving Britons from World War I.

The things Mr Allingham has witnessed during his lifetime :

1901: Queen Victoria dies and Edward VII succeeds the throne.

1953: Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, following the death of her father George VI the previous year. Stalin dies.

2007: Gordon Brown becomes prime minister.

2009: 65th anniversary of D-Day

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