Birthday boy Dudley Duncan was 101 last Thursday, celebrating the milestone with five generations of his family.
The Burnside Retirement Village resident credits his longevity to “a pretty wild life” he led when he was younger – partying, drinking and smoking.
And also to a loving family of two children, six grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild – nine-month-old Laikyn.
Mr Duncan, born during the First World War, served in the army for eight years from 1940 and married his wife, Gwen, in the same year.
He lived in Glenroy for more than 30 years before moving to Burnside six years ago.
“I’ve always been very determined to do something, to succeed,” he said. “Was life hard back then? I suppose it was, yeah.
“But when you’re in the army, you make life what it is.”
Gwen passed away in 2002 after 62 years of marriage.
Mr Duncan says he still misses her and describes their relationship as having been “incredibly close”.
