FIGHTING FIT
I’m one of Britain’s last Dunkirk heroes and a keen bodybuilder still pumping weights at 105 – I’m so full of life
ONE of Britain's last remaining Dunkirk heroes is still a keen bodybuilder and pumps weights at the grand old age of 105.
Second World War veteran John Hamilton said the secret to staying young was keeping fit - and despite now living in a care home he said he continues to live an active lifestyle.
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The retired army major, who was evacuated from Dunkirk in 1940, celebrated the milestone yesterday with friends and family.
The great-grandad, who smashed a rowing world record ten years ago, is still in remarkable shape and was still going to the gym 90 minutes a day at 100.
Over the last few years his friends say he's been forced to slow down, but the veteran is still entirely self-sufficient - and walks a mile a day to prove it.
Mr Hamilton from Warminster, Wiltshire, said: "I feel good but it's confusing - I'm so full of life and almost waiting for something to go wrong.
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"The key to a long life is exercising - it makes you physically well but is mentally stimulating too.
"If I didn't go (exercising) I think my last days would be long gone by now."
John was a keen sportsman and regularly played cricket, rugby, golf, tennis, squash and polo - and served in the Army for 25 years as a young man.
After joining in 1939 he served with the 1st King's Dragoon Guards and was evacuated from Dunkirk.
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The same year he met his wife Elsa when they both sheltered under the same tree during a storm in Hyde Park and they married three years later.
They were married for 67 years, before she died of dementia in 2006.
John served in Palestine, Germany and Jordan and worked as a tank instructor, during his 25-year career with the MoD.
He retired 39 years ago aged 64 but his pace of life didn't slow down.
Mr Hamilton now lives in a bungalow in the grounds of a nursing home where he is regularly visited by a carer as well as friends and family.
But apart from that, he is entirely self-sufficient, and still walks a mile a day to keep fit.
John said: "My oldest friend was Art who died aged 97. We met 80 years ago playing rugby before going our separate ways during the war.
"I miss him daily. My big family helps to keep me going.
"I entered a rowing competition 10 years ago and broke the world record for 1000m time trial.
"It was for people aged between 94 and 99.";
The superfit OAP has three children, eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Incredibly he drinks a glass of wine every other night and says he only gave up smoking his pipe recently.
John added: "I gave up smoking my pipe six months ago because I went to buy some tobacco from the shop but I lost it.
"I took it as a sign and quit after that - I feel better without it - after rowing I used to gasp for air but now I'm full of breath.
"I still enjoy a glass of wine every other night."
A close friend of Mr Hamilton said he was still "probably more alert than most people half his age".
Adela Forestier-Walker said: "He still reads voraciously and has incredible memory.
"He is still totally self-sufficient and walks a mile a day. His balance is his only weakness."
As part of his birthday celebrations, Mr Hamilton's former school, Clifton College, flew a flag in his honour while members of his regiment were present.
Mr Hamilton, previously said he had "clear as bell" memories of the three days his battery defended retreating troops from aerial attacks by German Stuka bombers.
He recalled of his time in Dunkirk: "I had a sort of aggressive feeling about it. This is what I have been trained to do. To shoot.
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"I am an anti-aircraft gunner, I've got to shoot down airplanes. And I'll do my best to do it."
Eventually the order was given to destroy their guns and join the evacuation.
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