Centenarian Lawrence Rhodes

ONE OF the oldest men in Scotland has died in Angus at the age of 103.

Lawrence Rhodes (pictured) was born and raised in thewest Midlands, gaining employment as an engineering draftsman at the age of 19 in 1927 on a wage of 27 shillings a week.

He worked for the engineering firm Henry Hope & Sons in Smethwick, Birmingham, throughout his career until he was made redundant in 1971, at the age of 63.

He married Marjorie in August 1934 and celebrated their diamond wedding in 1994.

Mrs Rhodes passed away in 1996.

The couple had no children.

Upon Marjorie’s death, Mr Rhodes moved to Monifieth to stay with his nephew Malcolm Gordon and his wife Dorothy.

He later moved into Tarriebank House near Arbroath and for the past six years resided in Tigh Na Muirn nursing home in Monifieth.

He enjoyed reading the newspaper and watching television. In his younger days he liked to holiday in Scotland.

Mr Rhodes was well respected at Tigh Na Muirn, with his birthdays there celebrated with a tea dance with other residents.

He died peacefully at the home on Thursday, with the cause of death recorded as old age.

He did not claim to have any secrets for his old age, although he remained fiercely independent even when he went into nursing homes.

However, he enjoyed taking a walk every morning and every afternoon and insisted on having breakfast at 9am, lunch at 1pm and tea at 5pm on the dot and was said to always have a healthy appetite.