Ford Retiree Celebrates 110th Birthday in Same Month as Company Reaches 120

DUNTON, England – Ford celebrated its 120th-anniversary last week, just days after a former employee celebrated his 110th?birthday, making him one of the oldest people alive.

Retiree John Farringdon, a former Dagenham and Leamington employee, reached the impressive milestone on Wednesday, June 7.

John, who lives at the Cubbington Mill Care Home near Leamington Spa, joined Ford as a resident typewriter mechanic, working at Dagenham between 1934 and 1942. After having all his tools stolen, Ford offered him a role at Leamington making tank tracks for the army. After the war he remained at the Leamington foundry, working as a wages cashier until retiring after a total of 39 years with the Company.

In an interview with @Ford in 2021, John said: “I enjoyed my time there and got on well with my colleagues. My sister worked upstairs in the typing pool.”

When John was born in 1913, Titanic had sunk 14 months previously, King George V ruled the United Kingdom, and Ford was manufacturing Model Ts at Trafford Park in Manchester – the first Ford plant outside the US.

John attended Enfield Polytechnic from age 14 to 16 before getting his first job as an apprentice repairing typewriters in London. John met his wife Irene when he was stationed with her family during the war. They were married at Essex Registry Office in 1940. Sadly, Irene passed away aged just 38.?John met his second partner, Vera, at his local pub where he played darts. Vera passed away 33 years ago.

According to the website?Oldest in Britain, John is the 10th?oldest person in the UK.?Ethel Caterham, aged 113 is the most long-lived UK person currently alive.?