Eric King-Turner and wife Doris are poised to become one of Britain's oldest emigrants when he leaves Britain to start a new life in New Zealand. Photo: Daily Mail.LONDON, England (Telegraph), January 4, 2008:
Are you tempted to leave Britain for a less crowded country?
The retired dentist, who was a surgeon commander in the Royal Navy, will turn 103 within weeks of completing the 12,000-mile voyage from Southampton on the Saga Rose liner with his 87-year-old wife Doris.
Mr King-Turner, of Titchfield, Hants, says he is looking forward to a British way of life in a country that is not as crowded, while his wife of 12 years is returning to her homeland.
Mr King-Turner said: "I like New Zealand. The way of life is much the same as here but it is not so crowded and the weather is better."I'm an Englishman through and through and there will be things I miss such as my friends but New Zealanders are very easy to get on with."
He said he would also be able to engage in his passion for fly fishing.
He said: "New Zealand is the most wonderful place in the world for fishing. It's a wonderful new adventure and I would say to anyone that if you want to do something you should do it straight away.
"I may well be Britain's oldest emigrant but being in the Guinness Book of Records is not important to me.
"What's important is that when I'm 105 I don't want to be thinking 'I wish I had moved to the other side of the world when I was 102.' "
The couple, who were both widowed, married in New Zealand in 1995 before returning to Mr King-Turner's home. Mrs King-Turner still has a home in Nelson, which is in South Island, where the couple will be setting up home. She sponsored her husband's application to emigrate to New Zealand.
Mr King-Turner: "The paperwork has taken about five months. We not only had to produce a marriage certificate but we had to produce evidence that we were in a long and stable relationship!
"I'm also pleased to say I'm in good health - they would not let me in otherwise."
© Copyright of Telegraph Media Group Limited 2008
