By CATHERINE MASTERS
Lieutenant-Colonel Lawrence (Curly) Blyth is older than the regiment he once commanded.
The Auckland and Northland Regiment was gazetted in May 1898. Yesterday, an infantry sword was used to cut a birthday cake cooked by an Army chef in honour of Colonel Blyth's 104th birthday.
He and fellow officers toasted the regiment - of which about 30 men and women from the territorial force will soon head to East Timor - with a 10.30 am glass of whisky.
Colonel Blyth lives at Selwyn Village in Pt Chevalier and is thought to be the oldest war veteran in Auckland and one of the oldest in New Zealand.
He was awarded a military medal for bravery during the second battle of the Somme in the First World War.
He cannot talk well following two strokes but his daughter Margaret Blyth, aged a mere 72, said her father, whom she describes as "a lovely man," was revered in France and had a square named after him in a village near a town he helped to free from German occupation.
In the First World War he was with Allied troops in the town of Le Quesnoy when 5000 citizens were freed.
The Place du Colonel Blyth is in Beaudignies, south of Le Quesnoy.
His daughter has travelled to France several times with her father.
"I have witnessed all the atmosphere that has come forth from all those people up there, so I know the gratitude ...
"He's a wonderful man. He's really got presence and wherever he goes people warm to him because he's got that personality - he gives out so much."
104th birthday a slice of Army history
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