03-07-2025
Second World War hero says secret to reaching 106 is classic UK food he eats each day
Leslie Lemon celebrated his 106th birthday recently and has shared what he believes is the reason for his long life.
A Second World War veteran who just celebrated his 106th birthday attributes his impressive longevity to a daily dose of one classic food. Leslie Lemon, a great-great-grandfather from Aylesbury, Bucks, has a penchant for custard, particularly Bird's custard, but keeps a tin of Ambrosia's ready-made custard on hand for emergencies.
His dessert of choice is rhubarb and custard, although he's also fond of trifle with custard, served cold. As he celebrated his 106th birthday - he was born on July 1, 1919 - Mr Lemon, who served as a corporal during the Second World War, 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. You should always have a pudding."
Having retired from his role as an 'office boy' at Inland Revenue, now HM Revenue and Customs, in 1979 at age 60, Mr Lemon has enjoyed retirement longer than his working years. His service from 1939 to 1946 earned him the Légion d'honneur, France's highest and most prestigious order of merit, five years ago.
Despite his advanced age, the great-great-grandfather-of-two insists: "I don't feel older at all. I've got no aches and pains. I don't take any tablets or medications. I never see a doctor."
Mr Lemon, who has eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, expressed his fondness for fish and chips as his second choice of meal. He said: "You can put custard with apples, gooseberries, any fruit from the garden."
Upon reaching his centenary, Mr Lemon was presented with a special Bird's custard jug. His mantelpiece boasts three Royal correspondences – a letter from Queen Elizabeth II for his 100th birthday, alongside two from King Charles and Camilla commemorating his 105th and 106th milestones.
When asked about his secret to longevity, the Ealing-born centenarian advised: "Everything in moderation. I'm so lucky and I'm quite happy." But he's not a fan of all new innovations. "The thing that has changed the most is video calls," he said. "I can't work it myself. I'm a bit old fashioned."
Mr Lemon and his late wife Doreen, who passed away in 1999, married in 1944 and had three children together: Michael, Mary, and Richard. Tragically, Mary succumbed to hepatitis caused by polluted seawater at the age of ten.
Youngest son, Richard, now 73, reminisced: "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."
Asda has awarded Mr Lemon with a year-long bounty of complimentary custard. A spokesperson for Asda 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!" Mr Lemon's loved ones confirmed: "He's absolutely delighted. He'll probably put it all under his bed."
