Owen Filer, thought to be Wales's oldest man, honoured by SSAFA before 107th birthday

Mixed · 2Owen Filer, who lives in Cwmbran and is believed to be the oldest man in Wales, marked his approaching 107th birthday with an early celebration on Friday 16 October; the birthday itself is on Monday. 1 2 Mixed · 2SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, presented him with a commemorative item in recognition of his military service and as an early birthday tribute; the Evening Standard calls it a shield, while GB News calls it a statuette. 1 2 Mixed · 2Born in 1919, Mr Filer served with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and then the Military Police during the Second World War. 1 2

Mixed · 2Asked for the secret of his long life, he said there was none beyond having worked all his life and living "properly", adding that he never overate and "lived on fish and chips", made with cod and hake, which he said can no longer be afforded. 1 2 Mixed · 2He said he had hoped to live in a better world and did not think he would reach this age, and recalled that his family had no food and no money. 1 2 Mixed · 2He was accompanied by his daughter Anne Messore, 80, one of his four children; he also has 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. 1 2

Mixed · 2Later that day he was given a surprise red carpet welcome at the Market Hall Cinema in Brynmawr, where he chose a screening of the film One Good Turn. 1 2 Mixed · 2Darren Foote, a fellow veteran who helped organise the celebrations, said Mr Filer does not understand the fuss, is "down to earth", and still rises each morning, puts on a clean shirt and tie and cleans his shoes. 1 2