Veteran’s vintage tipple
A NAVY veteran called “Lord” Nelson is claiming the title of Britain’s longest-serving pub regular after drinking in the same local for more than 80 years.
Second World War hero Nelson Foyle, 93, estimates he has sunk about 40,000 pints – or 5,000 gallons – at the Dog and Gun in Netheravon, Wiltshire.
He enjoyed his first tipple before he was a teenager when he sneaked into the cellar with the landlord’s sons.
Back then a pint cost 3d – or just over 1p in today’s money – but now his favourite Wadworth 6X sets him back £3. The greatgrandad’s long service to the pub was recognised by other drinkers, who bought him a Lordship of the Manor title so that he can officially be called “Lord” Nelson.
He got the award at a surprise ceremony last week. “It’s a big honour and I’m very proud of it,” he said. “I’ve been drinking at the Dog and Gun since I was 12.
“I might get a few free pints now I’m a Lord. I usually drink two and a half pints each time but sometimes I could have four, it depends on how many goodhearted people are in the pub at the time. I usually go with my son and son-in-law Steve and I sometimes go with my wife.”
The retired Government driver is a father-of-two and will celebrate his 65th wedding anniversary to Marina, 82, later this year,
He has lived all his life in the same street by the pub, growing up in one house before moving to his current home 50 yards away.
His only break as a customer was during the war. He took part in the 1944 attack on Hitler’s Tirpitz battleship. In 2013 he was awarded the Arctic Star medal by the Russian Government for his service on the Arctic Convoys.