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Happy 100th Birthday!

Happy 100th Birthday!

Friday 30 August 2024

Happy 100th Birthday!

Friday 30 August 2024


Lawrence Torode has been celebrating his 100th birthday this week, and says he "feels fantastic", like he is "21".

His immediate family - children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchild - all enjoyed a meal with him on Wednesday before a large party with friends tomorrow.

Mr Torode - who was born on 28 August 1924 - has lived in Guernsey and England during his life.

Born and educated in Guernsey, he was evacuated during the war as a teenager, initially spending some time in Bristol, before moving to Bury in Manchester.

It was during the war years that he met his wife Cissie, with the couple marrying in 1944.

The couple had a long marriage lasting 62 years, until her death in 2006. 

Laurence Torode 100

Pictured: Lawrence Torode (right) with his brother.

Mrs Torode was working in an ammunition factory in Bury when they met, while Mr Torode worked as a cobbler in his younger years before working as a builder which he "really enjoyed."

The couple returned to Guernsey after the war, and settled down to have their family here.

Their three children; Ruth, David, and Sheena, were all born in the island during the following years. 

In 1965 the Torode family returned to the UK, where they all stayed for some time, with Lawrence and Cissie moving back to Guernsey in 1985.

Their children and their respective families also came back to the island to settle here, and Mr Torode's family has grown in the years since then. 

Lawrence Torode 100

Pictured: Lawrence and Cissie Torode. The couple were married for 62 years until her death in 2006. 

The first of Mr Torode's eight grandchildren, Paul is now 48, while Destiny Grant is the eldest of his 19 great-grandchildren, at 23 years old.

The youngest member of Mr Torode's extended family is two-year-old Arlo, his first great-great-grandchild. 

Mr Torode has been with his entire family as he has celebrated his milestone birthday this week.

He enjoyed a family meal on Wednesday and he told Express that he "feels 21" and that he "feels fantastic".

As he blew out the candles on his birthday cake - three sponge cakes depicting his age - his said he didn't make a wish, except to say "only that his teeth didn't fall out!"

Sharing his secrets for living such a long life, Mr Torode said you should "take everything in moderation," but he did not wish to share any further life advice with younger people adding: "they'd be too embarrassed to know all the details of (my) life!"

Lawrence Torode 100

Pictured: Mr Torode with his children: Sheena, Ruth, and David.

Today is somewhat of a rest day for Mr Torode, after his actual birthday on Wednesday and his family meal that evening.

Tomorrow his daughter Sheena is hosting a large party with up to 100 people expected.

Mr Torode will be the guest of honour as his family and friends toast his health and happiness.

Among the many gifts and messages he has received this week was a card from Buckingham Palace, with "warmest congratulations and heartfelt good wishes" on his 100th birthday, signed by King Charles and Queen Camilla.

Mr Torode also received cards from Guernsey's Bailiff; Sir Richard McMahon, and the Lieutenant Governor; Lieutenant General Richard Cripwell. 

Pictured top: Lawrence Torode in his youth, and on his 100th birthday this week. All pictures supplied by Mr Torode's family.

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