King Charles and Camilla meet world's oldest man, 117, who fought for Britain in WW2

The King placed a medal on the chest of an “amazing” Kenyan soldier believed to be the oldest man in the world, aged a sprightly 117.

Veteran Corporal Samwel Nthigai Mburia says he was born in 1906 and served in the Far East in the British army during the Second World War. At the time, many ex soldiers lost their medals and the corporal was personally handed his replacement medal by Charles during a poignant ceremony on the second full day of the State visit to Kenya.

The moment came at a visit to a Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery joining British and Kenyan military personnel in an act of remembrance. Charles told the veteran, “You’re amazing. You set us a great example. You must have been living on wild locusts and honey.”

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During the period of the Mau Mau rebellion period, many Kenyan army veterans who fought in the Second World War alongside the British lost their medals. He said, through his 54-year-old daughter, Idah Kagweni, “I am so happy and proud to be receiving my medals from the King.” The other veterans who were presented with replacement medals were Private John Kavai, Private Kefa Chagira and Private Ezekiel Nyanjom Anyange. It came after the King expressed his “sorrow” and “deepest regret” over past colonial “wrongdoings” and British led atrocities.

When Kenya became a crown colony in 1920 settlers took over prime agricultural land and pushed the Kikuyu tribe out to protect their interests. At the end of the war in 1945, deep resentment by the Kikuyu led to attacks in 1952 by a banned secret society, Mau Mau, against those loyal to the government. The increased attacks led Governor Evelyn Baring to declare a state of emergency in October 1952 and Mau Mau leaders, including Kenya’s future president Jomo Kenyetta were detained by the authorities.

The King and Queen also met Mr. Sam Mattock, who has taken the lead in identifying living war veterans, and sourcing replacement campaign medals. They joined British and Kenyan military personnel in an act of remembrance, before hearing about the Commission’s work to ensure all those who supported Britain in both World Wars are commemorated. The cemetery they visited is linked to the Carrier Corps of the First World War and became known as ‘Kariokor’. Most of the Kariokor casualties were not individually commemorated, and their contribution was largely overlooked.