Did you know that today is internationally recognised as “Day of Older Persons”? To celebrate the day, I have decided to revive this old post of mine about John Evans – a Welshman who lived to the age of 112. Please enjoy!

John Evans, a Welshman born in Abertawe on 19 August 1877 and living to the grand age of 112 before passing away on 10 June 1990, lived a remarkable life that spanned over a century. His journey through time placed him at the heart of some of the most significant historical events, from the late Victorian era to the close of the 20th century. Let’s take a glimpse into the world he witnessed.

Born during the reign of Queen Victoria, John Evans entered a world marked by the apex of the British Empire. The Victorian era saw the height of industrialization, social changes, and a global influence that shaped the world. The world was changing and John would have seen much of this change through his own eyes. The gradual introduction of cars and the phasing out of horses; the rise of the telephone and more, the world was rapidly changing.

World War I began in 1914 and John would have already been around 37 at the time of its beginning. He lived through the horrors of World War I, then referred to as the “War to End All Wars”. The conflict reshaped societies and led to profound geopolitical changes, many which are at the centre of our problems today.

The post-war period brought about an era of reconstruction, cultural shifts, and economic challenges. The world was on the brink of further upheaval and, for a brief time, things will have looked relatively rosy post-WWI. However, the rise of fascism in Italy and Germany would mean Europe – and, indeed, the world – was heading for the darkest period in human history.

During World War II, John Evans experienced another global conflict that would alter the course of history. At the age of 62, John was already no longer a “young” man when Hitler invaded Poland and brought the world into war. He witnessed the fall of France; the bombing of Britain; the rise of the United States as the world’s superpower (perhaps unthinkable during his childhood, with the US still reeling from the Civil War at the time); resilience of nations and the emergence of the United Nations.

After World War II, the world entered the Cold War period. John Evans lived through the tense standoffs of the superpowers and the eventual collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. John had grown up during a time when cars were not yet on the road, and was now living through a time where a constant threat of nuclear war loomed. Speaking of major technological advancements…

Imagine a child in the 1870s looking up into the night sky and gazing at the moon. The thought of man walking upon it would have, no doubt, been little more than a five second dream. John Evans saw humanity reach new frontiers as the Space Age dawned. He lived to witness the moon landing in 1969 and the rapid advancement of technology that transformed daily life.

The civil rights movements of the mid-20th century, including the struggle for racial equality, were significant events during his lifetime. He witnessed the profound societal changes that these movements brought about.

John Evans would have observed evolving cultural trends, from the birth of rock ‘n’ roll to the rise of the internet, all of which shaped modern culture and society. The radio was in its earliest developmental stages during John’s childhood. He would have lived through Bing Crosby becoming a hit on the radio, to then witnessing the arrival of the glamour of Frank Sinatra hitting black and white TVs, to being struck by the arrival of Elvis Presley, Beatlemania and, by 1990, the peak of million dollar music videos by the likes of Michael Jackson, Madonna and so forth.

John Evans’ life was an extraordinary journey through a century of human history. His longevity allowed him to bear witness to the dramatic changes, challenges, and triumphs that marked the 20th century. His story serves as a testament to the enduring resilience of the human spirit.

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Sally George

Sally is a proud wife of a Welshman, editor & writer of Welsh Histories. She’s all about stories—that shout ‘anything Welsh.’ Drop her an email if you have an advice, insight, experience, or a story to share.