'I’m 106 and still enjoy a pint every day - my secret to reaching 107'
I’m 107 next week and still have my daily pint – here’s my secret to longevity
A West Yorkshire war veteran has revealed his secret to reaching 107 - a daily pint of Coors Light beer.
Godfrey Brooks was honoured at Wakefield Town Hall this week as the Royal Yorkshire Regiment celebrated its 20th anniversary.
The former Royal Engineer, who will turn 107 on Monday, said he was “pleased and grateful” to be recognised.
He credited a “pint of Coors light beer every day,” and plans to mark his birthday at the local pub with his family.
Mr Brooks was born in Pontefract and began working at the Prince of Wales Colliery in 1933, aged 14.
He was called up in March 1940 and served until the end of the Second World War in 1945. He was with 245 Field Company Royal Engineers as part of the 5th Infantry Division.
His Forces career took him to India, the Middle East, North Africa, Iran and Iraq, Palestine and India. He landed on the beaches of Sicily in 1943, fought in the Battle of Anzio and later moved through France, Belgium and Germany.
The 5th Infantry Division was the most travelled British Division of the Second World War.
His milestone formed part of an afternoon of military history and celebration at the town hall.
The Royal Yorkshire Regiment presented a 20th anniversary silver salver to Coun Brian Moorhouse, the Mayor of Wakefield, as a “token of appreciation” to the city.
Colonel Nigel Rhodes, regimental secretary, said: “It feels great to reward the city and the people of Wakefield for their continued support.
“And to those who serve, we thank all of you. We are your regiment.”
The Royal Yorkshire Regiment was formed in 2006 through the merger of the Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire, the Green Howards, and the Duke of Wellington's Regiment.
The regiment and its forebears hold 38 Victoria Crosses and more than 200 battle honours. King Charles III granted it the formal “Royal” prefix in 2023.
Coun Brian Moorhouse said: “These are two incredible milestones – 20 years of the Royal Yorkshire Regiment and the 107th birthday of Godfrey Brooks.
“20 years is a long time but when you add someone celebrating their 107th birthday, 20 years seems quite recent!”
"And to those who serve, we thank all of you. We are your regiment.”
Formed in 2006, the Royal Yorkshire Regiment was created by merging together the Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire, the Green Howards, and the Duke of Wellington's Regiment.
Since then, the regiment and its forebears have gone on to hold 38 Victoria Crosses and more than 200 battle honours, and, in 2023, it was granted the formal "Royal" prefix by King Charles III.