Robert Woolfenden was reputed have been born in Rochdale in 1825, in November 1927 he slipped on the steps of his cellar and died, he was 102.
Robert claimed to have become a centenarian on March 23rd 1925, but due to compulsory registration not being applicable at that time, and the fact that he was not christened at church, his age could never be verified.
He was an active man who enjoyed his pipe and a glass of beer and also visits to the Milnrow bug - the cinema at the end junction of Dale Street and Station Road.
In 1925 he had walked from Rochdale to Halifax and back, on the Friday before he died he had walked from Newhey to Rochdale and back, a distance of 8 miles.
He had led a colourful life and had visited America and Australia and was once shipwrecked in the Bay of Biscay.
In 1916 he had tried to enlist in the army as a cook - at the age of 91 !
They don't make them like Robert Woolfenden any more......
Wow, what a character. thank you for an interesting piece.
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