Happy birthday to the oldest man in Wales (From Western Telegraph)

Happy birthday to the oldest man in Wales

Old soldier Alfred Finnigan celebrates his 107th birthday tomorrow (Thursday) with a new title - the oldest man in Wales!

World War One veteran Alfred already knew he was the principality's senior Great War survivor. Now it seems pretty sure that no man alive in Wales, and very few in the UK, can rival his longevity. "Sometimes I wish I had not lasted so long, but I just don't seem able to go," admitted the old gentleman with a smile.

But this year he can look forward to being able to read his own birthday cards and his telegram from the Queen after a successful cataract operation soon after he turned 106. Mr Finnigan's wish for the op made news all around Britain, and he even had offers from well-wishers to meet the cost.

But, within days, he was given an NHS appointment and the surgery was carried out at the West Wales General Hospital.

"It's certainly not been wasted," said Mr Finnigan's niece, Kathy Page, who looks after him with her husband, Colin, at their home at Llanglydwen, near Whitland. "Reading has always been Alfred's greatest pleasure, and although he has to use a magnifying glass, he can manage with quite small print. "Now and again he has a good rummage though his bookshelf to see what he can find, and at the moment he's reading a book of Robert Browning's poetry."

Mr Finnigan was the lead driver in a six-horse gun team during the Great War, and escaped unscathed ... apart from a bite from a horse. But he never forgets the friends he lost nearly 90 years ago in a conflict he says was 'idiotic'.

Added Mrs Page: "The last couple of years have gone slowly for Alfred, but his general health is pretty good and he certainly knows his own mind."