Fenstanton resident says ‘a can of Guinness now and again’ is the secret to long life as he celebrates 100th birthday
100 year old David Smith, from Fenstanton, - Credit: Archant
Celebrations were in order on April 5 as Fenstanton resident, David Smith, marked his 100th birthday.
100 year old David Smith, from Fenstanton, - Credit: Archant
Celebrations were in order on April 5 as Fenstanton resident, David Smith, marked his 100th birthday.
Mr Smith, who was born in St Neots, is one of six children and has served in both the army and the Royal Air Force; the latter of which he did for 23 years.
Asked what the secret to a long life is, he said: “Nothing really; a can of Guinness now and again. I’ve had a good life, I’ve enjoyed life.
“I feel 75 actually. This is a lovely morning with all my friends and family.”
Mr Smith lived in Croxden during his teenage years life, before working in brick yards and at steel works in Bedford.
He met his wife, Mona, while he was working on milk floats in Brampton and they wed at Fenstanton Church in 1944; a marriage which lasted more than 60 years.
Most Read
- 1 Cambridgeshire zoo 'devastated' following death of white Bengal tiger
- 2 EastEnders star Adam Woodyatt ‘to work at restaurant in Cambridgeshire’
- 3 MBR Acres releases image of graffiti message
- 4 Can you answer these 10 GCSE questions designed for 16-year-olds?
- 5 Superintendent dons rainbow helmet against hate crime on #IDAHOBIT
- 6 Huntingdon thief jailed after stealing watch, iPod and iPhone from vehicles
- 7 Work starts on affordable 56-home development in Huntingdon
- 8 Iceland offers over 60s discount on shopping bill every week
- 9 Family pay tribute to brothers, 13 and 17, killed in horror BMW crash
- 10 Silent protest at Camp Beagle as vans leave the site
“We had a happy marriage and I met her on a milk float. I used to pick up milk and in the mornings picked up her and her bike and took her to work,” said Mr Smith.
“I got to know her and we kept meeting up and one thing led to another. We courted and life went on.”
Soon after the wedding, Mr Smith left for Egypt with the army, working in the Middle East for two and half years and then at Royal Air Force Wyton.
As a member of the ground crew, Mr Smith re-fuelled aircraft and even occasionally tanked up the Red Arrows.
Simon Clark, Mr Smith’s nephew, said: “He is so active and you can see the amount of cards he hasn’t even opened yet. He likes his Indian and Chinese and goes twice a week. He’s brilliant.”
