One of Britain’s joint oldest men today said ‘I feel as if I have lost a brother’ after the death of 111-year-old Alf Smith.
Scottish Mr Smith, whose death was announced today, shared the title of Britain’s oldest man with Bob Weighton, having both been born on March 29 in 1908.
Mr Weighton, from Alton, Hants, was pen pals with his ‘twin brother’ Mr Smith, exchanging birthday greetings every year and corresponding with him through Mr Smith’s daughter.
Bob Weighton is now Britain’s oldest man, after his pen pal and ‘brother’ Alf Smith passed away today aged 111 years and 128 days
Today Mr Weighton said ‘I feel a great sense of loss’ and added that he will write to Mr Smith’s daughter immediately.
Mr Weighton said: ‘I’m so terribly sorry to hear the news.
‘He was my twin brother, as we used to say, and I will write to his daughter immediately.
‘He was a friendly and interesting man.
‘Although I never met him and didn’t ever correspond with him directly as he was not able to write properly, I feel a great sense of loss.
Alf Smith, of St Madoes in Perthshire, Scotland, has died aged 111 years old and 128 days. He was born in Invergowrie in 1908, the fifth of six sons to John and Jessie Smith
‘I corresponded with his daughter, who lives nearby and saw to his daily needs, and last spoke when we exchanged birthday greetings in March.
‘At the time he was quite cheerful.’
He added: ‘He will certainly be in my thoughts from now, as will his family.
‘I feel as if I have lost a brother.’
Mr Weighton, born in Hull, was the middle of seven children and has three children of his own, 10 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.
On hearing of Alf’s passing, Mr Weighton said: ‘I’m so terribly sorry to hear the news. He was my twin brother, as we used to say, and I will write to his daughter immediately. He was a friendly and interesting man’
Mr Smith was born in Invergowrie in 1908, the fifth of six sons to John and Jessie Smith.
He was educated at Invergowrie Primary School and Harris Academy, Dundee.
He emigrated to Canada, along with four of his brothers, in 1927 but returned after five years and went on to drive lorries for his brother George.
During the Second World War, he was in the Home Guard, and married his wife Isobel when he was 29.
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.
During the Second World War, Mr Smith (pictured in 2006) was in the Home Guard, and married his wife Isobel when he was 29
Alf Smith is seen with his wife Isobella on their wedding day in 1937
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 a previous interview, Mr Smith 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?’
Mr Smith was very active in the Church of Scotland, having joined after leaving the Free Church in 1945, and was presented with a lifetime of service award from the Kirk moderator in 2017.
After passing away, Mr smith’s local councillor Eric Drysdale paid tribute to the former farmer, who credited porridge and enjoying his job for his long life.
The SNP Perth and Kinross councillor tweeted: ‘Sad to hear this morning that Scotland’s oldest man, Perth and Kinross based Alf Smith of St Madoes has passed way aged 111 years and 128 days.
‘When he was 100 he bought a new washing machine and decided on a 10 year extended warranty! Optimism seems to be the key to a long life.’