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Wales Online
06-07-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
'I'm 106 years old - this sweet treat every day is the secret to my long life'
'I'm 106 years old - this sweet treat every day is the secret to my long life' Great-great grandfather Leslie Lemon was born in 1919 106-year-old Leslie Lemon eats custard every single day (Image: SWNS ) A Second World War veteran who has just celebrated his 106th birthday revealed the secret to his long life - eating custard every single day. Great-great grandfather Leslie Lemon favours Bird's but says he always has a tin of Ambrosia's ready made in the pantry for emergencies. His preferred pudding is rhubarb with custard, but he doesn't turn down a good trifle either, enjoying his custard cold. Born July 1, 1919, Mr Lemon said: "The secret to a long life is custard. Rhubarb from the garden and custard." Custard isn't just an occasional treat for him; it's a daily indulgence. He said: "I eat it every day. I prefer it cold. It's nice in a trifle. You can't beat it." Even in moments when preparation time is scarce, he's prepared. "I usually have the powder but I've got a ready made Ambrosia in the pantry for emergencies," he continued. "You should always have a pudding." Leslie celebrated his 106th birthday on July 1 this year (Image: Lemon Family© SWNS ) Leslie, from from Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, has now been retired for longer than he worked - having worked as an office boy for Inland Revenue, now HM Revenue & Customs until he was 60 in 1979. Article continues below Throughout the Second World War he served as a corporal and he received the Légion d'honneur medal from the French government five years ago. But Mr Lemon said he remains youthful at heart despite his centenarian status. "I don't feel older at all,' he said. Remarkably independent for his age, he said: "I've got no aches and pains. I don't take any tablets or medications. I never see a doctor." With eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, the veteran also has a soft spot for Britain's favourite takeaway, considering fish and chips his second choice after desserts. However, Mr Lemon's he added: "Everything in moderation." For his 100th birthday, Mr Lemon was gifted a special Bird's custard jug. He also received a card from Queen Elizabeth II. Leslie received the Légion d'honneur medal from the French government five years ago (Image: © SWNS ) Since then he has also been recognised by King Charles and Camilla for his 105th and 106th birthdays, with the cards displayed on his mantelpiece. He noted the biggest change in his lifetime as video calls, admitting, "The thing that has changed the most is video calls. I can't work it myself. I'm a bit old fashioned." Mr Lemon and his late wife Doreen were married in 1944 and shared their lives until her passing in 1999. Their family included three children, Michael, Mary, and Richard; although Mary passed away at 10 due to hepatitis from polluted seawater. Leslie Lemon married Doreen in 1944 (Image: Lemon Family© SWNS ) Richard, now 73, reminisced about their childhood: "When we were growing up, we always had fresh fruit and veg - no one froze things in the 50s." He added that his father has always been an advocate for dessert, especially custard, which has been a staple for as long as he can remember. Supermarket Asda has celebrated Mr Lemon's love for custard by awarding him a year's supply free of charge. An Asda representative commented: "We'll all be taking a leaf out of Mr Lemon's book and enjoying more custard going forward, we hope he enjoys a free year's supply on us." Article continues below "When life gives you lemons add custard!". The Lemon family said: "He's absolutely delighted. He'll probably put it all under his bed."
New York Post
03-07-2025
- General
- New York Post
106-year-old WWII veteran shares his secret to long life: ‘You can't beat it'
A WWII veteran celebrating his 106th birthday has revealed the secret to his long life — eating custard every single day. Great-great grandfather Leslie Lemon, from Aylesbury, Bucks., favors Bird's but always has a tin of Ambrosia's ready made in the pantry for emergencies. Advertisement His current favourite treat is rhubarb and custard — but is also partial to trifle and custard — and prefers his sweet treat cold. He celebrated his 106th birthday this week — having been born on July 1, 1919. 9 WWII veteran Leslie Lemon is celebrating his 106th birthday, and credits eating custard as the secret to his long life. James Linsell Clark / SWNS 9 Lemon was born on July 1, 1919. Lemon Family / SWNS Advertisement 9 'The secret to a long life is custard. Rhubarb from the garden and custard,' Lemon said. 'I eat it every day. I prefer it cold. It's nice in a trifle. You can't beat it.' James Linsell Clark / SWNS Lemon, a corporal in WWII, said: 'The secret to a long life is custard. Rhubarb from the garden and custard. 'I eat it every day. I prefer it cold. It's nice in a trifle. You can't beat it. 'I usually have the powder but I've got a ready made Ambrosia in the pantry for emergencies. Advertisement 'You should always have a pudding.' 9 Lemon served as a corporal from 1939 to 1946 throughout WWII. Lemon Family / SWNS 9 The veteran received the Légion d'honneur medal from the French government five years ago. James Linsell Clark / SWNS Lemon has now been retired for longer than he worked — having worked as an 'office boy' for Inland Revenue, now HM Revenue & Customs until he was 60 in 1979. Advertisement He served as a corporal, from 1939 to 1946, throughout WWII and received the Légion d'honneur medal from the French government five years ago. The great-great-grandfather-of-two said, despite turning 106: 'I don't feel older at all. 9 Lemon with a custard ice cream, and members of his family. James Linsell Clark / SWNS 'I've got no aches and pains. I don't take any tablets or medications. I never see a doctor.' Lemon, who has eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, said his second favorite food was fish and fries. He added: 'You can put custard with apples, gooseberries, any fruit from the garden.' For his 100th birthday, he was given his own Bird's custard jug. Advertisement He has received three cards from royalty which sit on his mantle — a letter from Queen Elizabeth II on his 100th birthday and two from King Charles and Camilla for his 105th and 106th birthdays. As for his advice for growing older, Lemon, originally from Ealing, London, said: 'Everything in moderation. 'I'm so lucky and I'm quite happy. 'The thing that has changed the most is video calls. I can't work it myself. I'm a bit old fashioned.' Advertisement Lemon married his wife Doreen in 1944 and remained together until her death in 1999. They had three children — Michael, Mary and Richard — but Mary sadly died from hepatitis caused by polluted seawater when she was ten. Youngest son Richard, 73, said: 'When we were growing up, we always had fresh fruit and veg — no one froze things in the 50s. 'Dad is a believer in that you should always have pudding and he's had custard as long as I can remember.' Advertisement 9 Lemon married his wife Doreen in 1944. Lemon Family / SWNS 9 The couple had three children, Michael, Mary and Richard. Lemon Family / SWNS 9 Lemon has been honored with a year's supply of free custard from Asda. James Linsell Clark / SWNS Lemon has also been honored with a year's supply of free custard from Asda. Advertisement An Asda spokesperson said: 'We'll all be taking a leaf out of Mr Lemon's book and enjoying more custard going forward, we hope he enjoys a free year's supply on us. 'When life gives you lemons add custard!' Lemon's family said: 'He's absolutely delighted. He'll probably put it all under his bed.'
