Alfred gets set for a big read (From Western Telegraph)

Alfred gets set for a big read

WORLD WAR ONE veteran Alfred Finnigan should be able to read his treasured books again soon, following his cataract operation just under a fortnight ago.

Doctors at Carmarthen's West Wales General Hospital feel that the op has been a success - and 106-year-old Mr Finnigan proved them right when he was able to read to them from very large print.

"Alfred went for a check-up on Friday, and they were very pleased with his progress," said his niece, Kathy Page. "He will be having his eyes tested in three weeks' time for new glasses, and then he should be able to read. "This is wonderful news, and Alfred is on top of the world."

Mr Finnigan, who is believed to be Britain's second oldest veteran of the Great War, celebrated his 106th birthday a month ago with the wish that he would not have to put up with a six-month wait for the cataract operation he needed to restore his sight.

Within days, following two offers of help to pay for the procedure privately, he was sent an appointment for day surgery by the Carmarthenshire NHS Trust. Last Wednesday, friends and well-wishers joined him, Kathy and her husband Colin at their home at Llanglydwen, near Whitland, where they shared a celebration cake to mark the operation taking place.

Already, Mr Finnigan was feeling the benefits of the surgery. "Looking out of my eye is certainly a bit brighter, and I can see some things intermittently," he said. "I think that the hospital has done a tremendous job, and everyone was very kind there."

The first book he plans to read again is a century-old tome entitled 'The Story of the Heavens'.

"I have always been in favour of hard reading," he said with a smile. "I think it will take me the rest of my life to get through all my books again!"