Scout becomes worlds oldest man - 28-06-2009
Scout Henry Allingham has been confirmed by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest living man.
At the weekend it was confirmed that Tomoji Tanabe had died at his home in Japan on Friday 19 June aged 113. Tomoji had held the record for oldest living male since 24 January 2007.
Henry, who inherits the title, was born in Clapham on 6 June 1896. He is also the oldest surviving member of the armed forces and served in both the First and Second World Wars.
Craig Glenday, Editor in-Chief of Guinness World Records said, ‘We're pleased to see Henry take the world record. The last time someone from England held the title was Frederick Butterfield, who died on 9 March 1974 aged 110’.
The world’s oldest Scout
In 1914, Henry first went along to his local Scout Troop with his cousin, taking part in a programme of camping and outdoor activity for about six weeks before the First World War broke out.
Henry said, ‘I really enjoyed it and wanted to join, but I was unable to do so because my mum could not afford the uniform.’
Henry was invested into the 6th Brighton last November after they heard he’d missed out on a hundred years of Scouting. He was invited to their 30th Birthday celebrations and, exactly one hundred years after he first joined the Scouts, was invested in the 6th Brighton Scout Group. On 1 November 2008 he was honoured with the Chief Scout's Personal Award.
At the time Simon Carter of The Scout Association said, ‘Henry had a sparkle in his eye when he joined in the Group’s birthday celebrations with 120 youth members, leaders and parents. He told me that just being around young people and adults with so much energy and enthusiasm for life made him feel young again.’
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