A sense of humour combined with stubbornness are what has helped Sutherland Shire’s oldest man, Percy Clayton achieve his 106th birthday.
Create a free account to read this article
or signup to continue reading
These traits combined family support have kept him going, his daughter, Carole O’Halloran said.
“When he was 103 Dad had a major heart attack and wasn’t expected to live, but we took him home and nursed him back to health” Mrs O’Halloran said.
“He gave up his driving licence at 104. Up until then he would drive up to Woollies every day to buy the newspaper and his lottery tickets.
“When we had to do the Census last week we had no trouble logging in but when it came to the point where we had to put down the year he was born the computer kept coming up with the warning to please check his date of birth.”
Born in Stockport, England, Percy met his future wife, Florence Barton, while they were working at a mill in Marple.
During World War II a family friend, Australian pilot Ted Rowlings told him stories about Australia which stirred his interest.
Mr Clayton migrated with Florence and Carole in 1949.
They spent six weeks on the migrant ship, the Georgic, which had been sunk during the war and later raised and repaired and converted into a migrant ship.
“My parents bought a cake shop in Forest Road, Arncliffe. Dad would help bake the cakes before going to work in a factory.
“Later we moved to Gymea Bay where he built our home.
“He’s always been somebody who keeps his mind active. He used to keep a log of how far he drove and how much petrol he used.
“With his lottery tickets he always circles his numbers when they come up.
“He loves watching Eddie McGuire in Millionaire Hot Seat every night and still answers the questions.”
Mr Clayton worked in factories doing office work and as a cleaner at Westfield before he retired.
He now has 10 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren and is very involved in their lives.
“Dad’s got people around him all the time,” Mrs O’Halloran said.
“He’s in the middle of family and I think this is part of the reason he hangs in there.”
He’s in the middle of family and I think this is part of the reason he hangs in there.
- Daughter, Carole O'Halloran
Mr Clayton celebrated his 106th birthday with a visit to the Taren Point Hotel last Friday with about 40 family and friends.
