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Oldest man toasts 111th birthday Oldest man marks 111th birthday
(about 16 hours later)
Britain's oldest man will step aboard HMS Victory to watch an RAF flypast as he toasts his 111th birthday. Britain's oldest man was honoured with an RAF flypast and lunch aboard HMS Victory on his 111th birthday.
Henry Allingham, one of only three known UK survivors from World War I, has made his way to Portsmouth for the celebrations. A Royal Marines band also serenaded Henry Allingham, one of only three known UK survivors from World War I, during the celebrations in Portsmouth.
When asked how it felt to turn 111, he said he was "pleased to be seeing another tomorrow".When asked how it felt to turn 111, he said he was "pleased to be seeing another tomorrow".
And talking about the lessons he learnt from World War I, the Sussex man said: "Hear all, see all and say nowt." And talking about the lessons he had learnt from World War I, the Sussex man said: "Hear all, see all and say nowt."
He said: "We had a job to do and we didn't give much thought to what was going on about us.He said: "We had a job to do and we didn't give much thought to what was going on about us.
"We had a job to do, and did it, and it was concentrating on that that got us through the war.""We had a job to do, and did it, and it was concentrating on that that got us through the war."
I'm happy to be alive Henry Allingham I'm happy to be alive Henry Allingham class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/6727225.stm">In Pictures: Britain's oldest man Mr Allingham, who has five grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren, some of whom were at the party, is the last founder member of the RAF and the sole survivor of the Battle of Jutland.
Mr Allingham, who has five grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren, some of whom will be at the party, is the last founder member of the RAF and the sole survivor of the Battle of Jutland.
He said being 111 was "just the same as it was as at any age".He said being 111 was "just the same as it was as at any age".
"It's no different. I'm happy to be alive and I'm looking forward to the celebrations.""It's no different. I'm happy to be alive and I'm looking forward to the celebrations."
Dignitaries who shared the celebratory lunch with Mr Allingham included the Second Sea Lord, Vice Admiral Adrian Johns, and Veterans' Minister Derek Twigg.
On Tuesday, Surrey County Cricket Club threw a party for Mr Allingham, a keen cricket fan, at The Oval.On Tuesday, Surrey County Cricket Club threw a party for Mr Allingham, a keen cricket fan, at The Oval.
At the party, he told the BBC that keeping active had given him a long life and said: "I was a keep fit man you know. I did everything - running, you name it, I've had a go. I've enjoyed every moment."
'Humour and acumen''Humour and acumen'
His close friend, Dennis Goodwin, founder of the World War Veterans' Association, said Mr Allingham was a man who "believes in doing things properly", and "straight talking".His close friend, Dennis Goodwin, founder of the World War Veterans' Association, said Mr Allingham was a man who "believes in doing things properly", and "straight talking".
Mr Goodwin, who will be at the celebrations, said Mr Allingham was "getting a bit slower now" but he "remained strong", and had maintained his "humour and acumen". He said: "He's getting a bit slower now but people remark how his memory and vocal cords improve as a day's engagement goes on.
The flypast will be followed by a lunch with dignitaries in the ship's Great Cabin, a performance by a Royal Marines band, and an afternoon tea party at the Queen's Hotel on the seafront. "He's conscious of what's going on about him, he can contribute to the event himself and sit back and enjoy it.
"The senses are deteriorating, like smell and taste, but he still has humour and acumen."
Until last year, Mr Allingham lived an independent life in Eastbourne, but when his eyesight began to deteriorate, he moved to St Dunstan's care home for blind ex-service personnel near Brighton.Until last year, Mr Allingham lived an independent life in Eastbourne, but when his eyesight began to deteriorate, he moved to St Dunstan's care home for blind ex-service personnel near Brighton.
His accolades include the British War Medal, Victory Medal and the Legion d'honneur, France's highest military honour.His accolades include the British War Medal, Victory Medal and the Legion d'honneur, France's highest military honour.