LongeviQuest is pleased to confirm that the oldest living Welshman, Owen Filer, is celebrating his 106th birthday today, 19th October, in his hometown of Cwmbran.
Mr. Filer celebrated his birthday with a traditional Sunday lunch at the Greenmeadow Golf Club with his children Ann, Barry, and Judith, as well as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is said to be delighted to have received his third royal card, having previously received his first from Queen Elizabeth II for his 100th birthday and his second from King Charles for his 105th. During the celebration, his granddaughter Sarah Bailey said of her grandfather: “He is just amazing. He’s like Benjamin Button — just seems to be going backwards, you know, not aging. He’s just a treasure, and I adore him.”
Owen Stanley Filer was born in Pontnewydd, on 19 October 1919, to Stanley Filer (1891–1945) and Leah Richards (1894–1985). He had an older sister, Dorothea (1918–1988), and a younger brother, Kenneth (1926–1995). In 1943, whilst training with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, he married Laura Griffiths (1918–2004), and together they welcomed four children. Their eldest son, Gareth, was born on 8 May 1945 (VE Day), while Mr. Filer was stationed in India. Upon his return to Wales in 1946, Mr. Filer and his wife set up home in Cwmbran, where he has lived ever since.
In 1921, with his sister. (Courtesy of Owen Filer)
In 1940, with his parents and siblings. (Courtesy of Owen Filer)
During a recent visit with Mr. Filer, LongeviQuest’s UK representative, Ben Hinchliffe, was lucky enough to be taken on a tour of Cwmbran and the surrounding area — and who better to have as a tour guide than the area’s oldest resident! During the tour, which included a visit to the town centre and a walk around a beautiful boating lake, Mr. Filer took great delight in showing him his childhood homes. Recalling how poor his family was during his upbringing, he said, “My home was a wooden shed designed to house the canal barge! It had dirt floors, no water, no electricity, and no heating. We also had very little food and often went to bed hungry.” Mr. Filer jokingly added, “It’s a wonder I made it to five, let alone 105!”
Later, whilst enjoying coffee in a local café (Mr. Filer’s containing no fewer than four sugars), he once again joked about his longevity: “Perhaps sweetness is my secret!” — to which his son Barry added, “Or eating fat! Throw away the meat — eat the fat!”
Whatever the true secret to his longevity may be, Mr. Filer has certainly ‘played his cards right’, as he remains active and independent, taking almost daily bus trips into Cwmbran town centre and going for a daily walk — “I can’t sleep at night if I don’t get out.” Mr. Filer is at times surprised by his own great age and often says, “I’m a young old man, aren’t I?” Today, upon turning 106, he continues to be an inspiration to so many.
(Courtesy of Barry Filer)
For more biographical information, visit Owen Filer’s personal profile.
LongeviQuest extends heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Filer on his 106th birthday. We hope he had a wonderful celebration and wish him continued good health and happiness
