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| UK man is world's oldest at 113 | UK man is world's oldest at 113 |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| World War I veteran Henry Allingham is the world's oldest man following the death of a 113-year-old in Japan, Guinness World Records has confirmed. | World War I veteran Henry Allingham is the world's oldest man following the death of a 113-year-old in Japan, Guinness World Records has confirmed. |
| Mr Allingham, one of only two surviving WWI veterans in the UK and the last surviving founder member of the RAF, was born on 6 June 1896. | Mr Allingham, one of only two surviving WWI veterans in the UK and the last surviving founder member of the RAF, was born on 6 June 1896. |
| He was born in Clapton, London, and now lives at St Dunstan's Centre for blind ex-service personnel near Brighton. | He was born in Clapton, London, and now lives at St Dunstan's Centre for blind ex-service personnel near Brighton. |
| Tomoji Tanabe died in his sleep at his home in southern Japan, aged 113. | Tomoji Tanabe died in his sleep at his home in southern Japan, aged 113. |
| Mr Tanabe was named as the world's oldest man in June 2007 and credited his longevity to drinking a daily glass of milk. | Mr Tanabe was named as the world's oldest man in June 2007 and credited his longevity to drinking a daily glass of milk. |
| 'Take in stride' | 'Take in stride' |
| Mr Allingham's friend and chaperone, Dennis Goodwin, said: "It's staggering. [Henry] is philosophical. | Mr Allingham's friend and chaperone, Dennis Goodwin, said: "It's staggering. [Henry] is philosophical. |
| "He will take it in his stride, like he does everything else. | "He will take it in his stride, like he does everything else. |
| "He withdraws in himself and he chews it over like he does all the things he has done in his life. | "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." | "That's his secret I think." |
| Mr Allingham, whose life has spanned three centuries and six monarchs, has five grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, 14 great-great grandchildren and one great-great-great grandchild. | Mr Allingham, whose life has spanned three centuries and six monarchs, has five grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, 14 great-great grandchildren and one great-great-great grandchild. |
| World events since 1896 1901 - Queen Victoria dies1905 - Russian revolution begins1914 - WWI begins1929 - Great depression begins in the US1945 - First atomic bomb detonated1953 - Everest climbed for the first time1963 - President Kennedy assassinated1969 - Neil Armstrong walks on the moon | |
| Most of his family now live in the United States but his nephew Ronald Cator, 74, lives in Acle, Norfolk | Most of his family now live in the United States but his nephew Ronald Cator, 74, lives in Acle, Norfolk |
| Mr Cator said: "It's fantastic news. He is very frail now but I'm sure he'll be very pleased to hear it. | Mr Cator said: "It's fantastic news. He is very frail now but I'm sure he'll be very pleased to hear it. |
| "We are very proud of him." | "We are very proud of him." |
| Mr Allingham joined the Royal Navy Air Service in September 1915 before transferring to the RAF in April 1918. | Mr Allingham joined the Royal Navy Air Service in September 1915 before transferring to the RAF in April 1918. |
| The Royal Navy hosted a birthday party on the HMS President in London for his family, close friends and members of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force earlier this month. | The Royal Navy hosted a birthday party on the HMS President in London for his family, close friends and members of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force earlier this month. |
| In the past year, Mr Allingham has been given a doctorate in engineering from Southampton Solent University, been made an honorary freeman of Brighton and Hove and become the "oldest scout". | In the past year, Mr Allingham has been given a doctorate in engineering from Southampton Solent University, been made an honorary freeman of Brighton and Hove and become the "oldest scout". |
| In March, he was made an honorary member of the Royal Naval Association and also received an upgraded Legion d'Honneur in London, six years after receiving his first one. | In March, he was made an honorary member of the Royal Naval Association and also received an upgraded Legion d'Honneur in London, six years after receiving his first one. |
| Mr Allingham is the sole survivor of the Battle of Jutland and has also published his life story. | Mr Allingham is the sole survivor of the Battle of Jutland and has also published his life story. |
| Nigel Huxtable, of the Royal Naval Association, said: "Our association members are thrilled to share his good news. | Nigel Huxtable, of the Royal Naval Association, said: "Our association members are thrilled to share his good news. |
| "We are delighted that he is now the oldest man in the world and look forward to him stretching his life even further." | "We are delighted that he is now the oldest man in the world and look forward to him stretching his life even further." |
| Mr Allingham became Britain's oldest-ever man in March when he reached 112 years and 296 days, surpassing Welshman John Evans who died in 1990. | Mr Allingham became Britain's oldest-ever man in March when he reached 112 years and 296 days, surpassing Welshman John Evans who died in 1990. |