BEACHCOMBER 108 YEARS OLD BUT DEMANDING A RECOUNT...

TWELVE nines are 108 as you probably know, and that number, you may also have noticed, has been my age in years since the start of 2025, but is that correct?

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There have, in certain quarters, been doubts expressed as to whether I have reached the age of nine dozen.

The principal evidence dates back to May 1917, when this newspaper started a daily column called Gossip Of The Day.

Two months later, on July 27, the title was changed to the less gossipy By The Way and after a few more days, on August 2, 1917, the byline Beachcomber appeared for the first time at the foot of this column.

I cannot recall what role I played in the columns prior to that date but the regular attachment of my byline confirms that I have been solely responsible for it since August 2, 1917.