After 100 years, war veteran's favourite memory is marriage
Friends and family will be raising a toast to celebrate Albert Asher's 100th birthday at the New Lynn RSA.
The war veteran says he has led a great life but never thought he would make it to a century.
"When I served in the army, I went to England, Syria, Greece and Tunis. I survived the war, but on my way back home I got bowled over by a car in England and suffered a broken hip. How is that for a story?"
The avid New Zealand Warriors fan grew up in a family of greats. His father Arapeta Paurini Wharepapa Asher was the first Maori All Black.
But it is the army he credits for making "a man" out of him.
"The army has given me everything. I was very lucky. I used to be shy, but I became a much better person by the end of my time with them."
Upon his return to New Zealand in September 1943, Asher decided it was time to settle down. He proposed to the love of his life a month later and by December the pair were married.
"Beth was lovely. Elizabeth, her name was. I still miss her. I wish she was still here."
His wife died 23-years-ago, a loss he has never quite recovered from his children say.
Ask him about his fondest memory, and he says "my marriage" without missing a beat.
Her mention still brings a smile to his face as he recalls all the things that made their marriage a great union.
"For a good partnership it is important to agree on things and to never discuss politics. Beth and her family were pro-National and I was all for Labour. I was wearing a red rosette the first time I saw her."
He has two children, eight grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild who is a few months old.
Asher says the secret to a long life is independence.
"Whenever my grandchildren asked me what the secret to good health was, I always told them it was my bowl of porridge with cream and a teaspoon of raw sugar."
He is also an avid gardener and in his younger days had maintained a garden with as many as a hundred roses.
"Nothing quite like seeing something grow out of your hard work."
Written by Mahvash Ali. First appeared on Stuff.co.nz. Image credit: Mahvash Ali/Stuff.co.nz.
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