John Farringdon
Supercentenarian data for the United Kingdom
- Full name: John Gordon Farringdon
- Lifespan: (07.06.1913 – 13.08.2024)
- Age: 111 years, 67 days
- Birthplace: Enfield, London, England, UK
- Last residence: Royal Leamington Spa, England, UK
- Application date: 19.10.2023
- Validation date: 21.11.2023
- Validation source: Oliver Trim/Natalie Coles
Biography
John Farringdon was born in Enfield, London, England, UK on 7 June 1913. He entered the world at a time when the Suffragettes were fighting for the women’s vote and the first closed-top automobiles were coming onto the market. Aged 16, he began his first job repairing typewriters.
John then worked for Ford in Dagenham, Essex, before moving to the car maker’s foundry in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, in 1942, where he made tank parts for the Army during the war years.
‘My ambition was to be a Spitfire pilot,’ he said. ‘But they turned me down when they called me up and I ended up working for Ford.
In the late 1920s, at the age of 16, he embarked on his first professional job, specializing in the repair of typewriters. While initially harboring aspirations of becoming a Spitfire pilot for the Royal Air Force, he later redirected his path to join Ford in Dagenham, Essex. Subsequently, he transitioned to the car maker’s foundry in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, in 1942, dedicating himself to crafting tank parts for the Army during the war years. His commitment to Ford spanned four decades, and his unwavering passion for automobiles endured throughout his life.
Having obtained his driving licence for five shillings at the age of 17 – at a time when there was no requirement to pass a test – Mr Farringdon still enjoyed driving at age 100, if accompanied, would drive around the country to visit people. He only relinquished his role as an active driver at the age of 105, accumulating an impressive 88 years behind the wheel without a single accident.
John survived his long-term partner Vera, mother to his step-daughter Jennifer, who lives in Devon, and his wife Irene. Speaking to Metro.co.uk at the party today, he recalled meeting Vera at the Fox and Hen pub, where he was captain of the darts team, in Southam, Warwickshire. Her aunt owned the pub at the time. Some of the aviation enthusiast’s most treasured memories include watching the Red Arrows and he was thrilled to meet one of the pilots, Red 10, at the Midlands Air Festival last weekend
Following the death of 109-year-old Joe Dixon on 19 January 2023, Farringdon earned the distinction of being the last known British man born in 1913.
In June 2023, he joyously marked his 110th birthday, attaining the esteemed title of supercentenarian. He then used a wheelchair and needed a hearing aid but struck a picture of health as a brass band assembled on a lawn outside the home. The day was also marked with a signed card from King Charles and Queen Camilla, featuring a picture of the couple and expressing their ‘warmest congratulations and heartfelt good wishes on such a special occasion’. It was the centenarian’s first card from the King and Queen, following nine he received from Queen Elizabeth II.
John Farringdon died in Royal Leamington Spa, England, UK on 13 August 2024 at the age of 111 years, 67 days.
Validation
His age was verified by GRG-UK Correspondent Oliver Trim and Natalie Coles, and validated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) on 21 November 2023.
Natalie Coles with John Farringdon (110) in Royal Leamington Spa, England, UK. Picture taken on 20.05.2024.
Photo courtesy of Natalie Coles.
John Farringdon on his 110th birthday in 2023.
John Farringdon as a young man.
John Farringdon accompanied by his wife Irene.
John Farringdon on his 108th birthday in 2021
John Farringdon on his 110th birthday in 2023
John Farringdon on his 111th birthday in 2024
Photo courtesy of Metro UK
