New Zealand’s oldest man and former prisoner of war James “Jim” Easton has celebrated another lap around the sun, hitting the grand old age of 108 this week. [...]
During World War II, Easton was a prisoner of war, surviving three-and-a-half years of starvation, sickness, and beatings at the hands of the Japanese. While captive he spent time constructing the notorious Burma railway, dubbed the “Railway of Death”.
When he was released from the prison camp – weighing just 47kg – medics told him the years of ill-treatment would likely knock at least 10 years off his life.
“Not much different to how it felt to be 101,” he said on turning 108.
When asked what he enjoyed most about his Army service, Easton replied: “Trying to get out!”
