War veteran turns 108, and shares the surprising secret to a long life
BILL Mitchell was a popular man yesterday.
He had letters to open from the Christchurch mayor, the prime minister, and even the Queen, who had all written to congratulate him on his 108th birthday.
Was he surprised to have made the milestone? ‘‘Good heavens, yes.’’
As he opened his card from the Queen at home in Christchurch, he quipped: ‘‘I remember her when she was only a wee girl.’’
After all, when Mitchell was born in 1913, Queen Elizabeth’s grandfather, King George V, was still on the throne.
Mitchell expressed his sadness at the death of her husband, Prince Philip.
The Queen’s letter to him said: ‘‘I am delighted to send you my warm congratulations on your One Hundredth and Eighth birthday, together with my best wishes for an enjoyable celebration.’’
Mitchell is one of New Zealand’s remaining World War II veterans, having served in the air force’s engineering arm in the Pacific during the conflict.
Mitchell – who joined the RSA on the day he was discharged – is preparing to lead this year’s Anzac Day parade in Christchurch.
Mitchell said Anzac Day simply meant ‘‘his mates’’ to him.
He has long said that one of the secrets to a long life is, of all things, garlic.
‘‘I’ve told the doctor that [it keeps you healthy], he wouldn’t say yes or no.’’
His family explained that the belief originated with a friend who was in a prisoner-of-war camp and struck up a friendship with a guard, who then gave him garlic.
When the friend was liberated, it was thought he was relatively healthy due to the garlic. Mitchell had always remembered the story, his daughter said.
Mitchell’s rest home room is dotted with various photos from various eras, including many with his family, his Anzac Day experiences, flying in a biplane, and a ride in a racing car.
His favourite was one pinned close to his bed – of his parents.
About 80 people will gather to celebrate his birthday today.
Mitchell was looking forward to it, and to having his favourite drink: a rum and Coke.
His 107th birthday party last year could not be held due to the national Covid lockdown, which also prevented him from seeing his son in Australia, Gary, who was planning to come over once the trans-Tasman bubble opened.
‘‘I often think I’d like to be with him,’’ Mitchell said.
Gary sent a card, but found it difficult to find one with ‘108’ on it. Instead he sent three taped together: two with ‘‘50’’ and one with an ‘‘8’’.