WARWICKSHIRE’S oldest man has been chosen as a baton bearer for the forthcoming Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at the grand age of 109.
John Farringdon will celebrate his birthday on June 7 so when the West Midlands’ legs of the baton relay takes place between July 18 and 28 July he will be 109 year-old.
John is currently a resident of Cubbington Mill care home in Leamington but was born in north London in 1913.
He told The Observer: “I am honoured to take part in such an historic event and to be chosen as a baton bearer.
“Over the last three years living with my Cubbington Mill family, I am often surprised to be invited to take part in different events. It keep me young at heart and definitely makes life easier.”
John is actually older than the Commonwealth Games themselves. He was 17 when the first games were held in 1930.
After leaving school he got a job as an apprentice repairing typewriters in London, before getting a job with Ford at the company’s Dagenham plant.
In 1942 Ford offered John a job in Leamington making tank tracker assistance for the army. He continued to work at the town’s foundry for 40 years before retiring.
Laura Russell, general manager at Cubbington Mill, said: “We are all so proud of John and so delighted for him, he is an absolute marvel. It is such an honour for him to be chosen and what a memory for him to cherish.
“Everyone from the home will be cheering him on when he completes his leg of the relay in July.”
