Britain's Oldest Men Who Lived Through Both World Wars Celebrate 110th Birthdays

PICTURED: Alfred Smith, courtesy of Church of Scotland. 

Porridge and a good sense of humour are the key to a long life, according to Britain's two oldest men who will celebrate their 110th birthdays this week having lived through both World Wars.

Robert Weighton was born in Hull on March 29, 1908, on the same day as Britain's other oldest man, Alf Smith.

The pair, who are due to mark their next impressive milestones on Thursday, have never met, but have exchanged birthday cards over the last few years.

One Of Mr Weighton's earliest memories is of seeing fires started by a bombing raid in the First World War.

Mr Weighton has lived in a number of countries throughout his life, including America and Japan; and was in America when Japan attacked Pearl Harbour.

His ability to speak Japanese won him a role in the US with the British Political Warfare Mission, deciphering enemy messages and producing wartime propaganda. He returned to England in 1946.

He said of living to such a great age: 

 "I have not lived my life avoiding being run over by buses or getting cancer or anything else. I've done nothing to deserve or achieve this age. I'm just one of the lucky ones."

The centenarian dismissed smoking as "horrible" and "absurd" after trying it in his early teens, and is equally unimpressed by wealth, saying he "never wanted to become rich".

More valuable, he said, is a sense of humour:

"I think laughter is extremely important. Most of the trouble in the world is caused by people taking themselves too seriously."

The father-of-three - one of seven himself - has 10 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

Mr Weighton shares his age and birthday with Alfred Smith, from the village of St Madoes in Perthshire.

The pair have been sending each other birthday cards for the last three years. 

Mr Smith was born in Invergowrie in 1908, the fifth of six sons of John and Jessie Smith, and he served in the Home Guard during the Second World War.

The couple went on to farm at Kinfauns where they raised two children, Irene and Allan. Mrs Smith died more than 14 years ago, aged 97.

His son Allan, who worked with his father on the farm for 40 years, died in 2016.

Mr Smith retired at the age of 70 but continued to go to the farm until well into his 80s.

Asked for his secret to a long and happy life in an interview last year, the former farmer said: "Porridge is helpful and having a job you enjoy.

"I like to think I've lived a decent life. I do ask myself - why me? Why have I lived so long when others haven't?"