In 1912, life was very different: part of Europe did not yet know that it was on the verge of war, the Titanic was going on its last voyage, and the Suffragettes were fighting for women’s right to vote in the United Kingdom.
But another event took place in 1912: the birth of John Tinniswood in Liverpool, England. In April he became the oldest man in the world, and died on Monday November 25, 2024, according to Guinness World Records.
John Tinniswood, who lived in Southport, UK, was born on August 26, 1912, and therefore died at the ripe old age of 112. Guinness World Records declared him the world’s oldest man earlier this year, after Juan Vicente Pérez of Venezuela died at the age of 114 years and 311 days.
A former veteran, mobile and independent
John Tinniswood was also the oldest surviving male veteran of World War II. He served in an administrative role for the British Army Pay Corps, handling logistical tasks such as organizing food supplies and locating stranded soldiers. He subsequently worked in administration and accounting for Royal Mail, the British postal service, as well as Shell and BP, before retiring in 1972.
According to his nursing home staff, even at age 112, “he remained mobile and independent, managing his own finances and getting out of bed on his own,” as reported by a Business Insider article.
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Fish and chips every Friday evening
Shortly before his death, he had provided advice for those “who wanted to live as long as he did.” And his main advice was this: do everything in moderation.
“If you drink too much, or eat too much, or walk too much, if you do anything in excess, you will eventually suffer,” he said. “Never overload your body” if you want to stay healthy, reports Business Insider.
He did not follow a specific diet, telling Guinness World Records: “I eat what they give me, like everyone else” — with the exception of fish and chips, the British classic, which he enjoyed every Friday evening. . In addition, he did not smoke and rarely drank alcohol, both habits conducive to a long life.
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“Give everything you have”
In 2022, he also told the BBC it was important to “think bigger”. “Don’t limit yourself to just one thing, otherwise you will end up on a narrow path,” he advised. But whatever you do, “always do your best, whether you’re learning something or teaching someone,” he told Guinness World Records. “Give everything you’ve got. Otherwise, it’s not worth it.”
These tips are consistent with research that establishes a link between a positive state of mind and meaning in life for better longevity.
Ultimately, however, John Tinniswood was also a philosopher and believed that his longevity was primarily a matter of “pure luck.” “Either you live a long time or you live a short time, and there’s not much you can do about it,” he concluded.
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