Old soldier recovers after eye op (From Western Telegraph)

Old soldier recovers after eye op

World War One veteran Alfred Finnigan is in excellent spirits after the cataract operation that he hopes will help him to see again.

Mr Finnigan, aged 106, had his op on the National Health at Carmarthen's West Wales General Hospital on Thursday.

Just over a fortnight earlier, he celebrated his birthday with the wish he would not have to wait too long to go into hospital.

And after two offers of help were made to pay for the operation privately, Carmarthenshire NHS Trust sent him the appointment for day surgery. Mr Finnigan was back at home at Llanglydwen, near Whitland, in time for tea on Thursday, and his niece, Kathy Page, said on Monday: "Alfred is in fine form, eating well and looking forward to be able to read again. He has to go back to the hospital on Friday for a check-up, and we won't know the result of the operation until then, but he is very positive and not in any pain."

The old gentleman, who is Britain's second oldest survivor of the Great War, will be welcoming friends to a special party at his home today (Wednesday) to celebrate having had his operation.