Man turns both 92 and 23 today after being given just one night to live
A man is celebrating his own double birthday today, as he turns 92 and 23 on the same day.
Walter Cargill, from Scartho, was born on February 29, also know as Leap Day , which only comes around every four years.
The former British rail worker will mark the occasion surrounded by his friends and family.
His daughter, Denise Portus, spoke on behalf of her father, and told Grimsby Live how he originally defied the odds to get where he is today.
She said: "He was born in Aby, Lincolnshire, on February 29, 1928, and he only weighed 2lbs.
"Doctors originally gave him a night to live because he was so small, but he survived.
"He was the youngest of six, who were all boys, and he has lived a long life and had a wide variety of jobs across Lincolnshire.
"He started off being a seed boy and chicken boy working on a farm, before moving onto a potato farm, and then onto a dairy farm.
"In 1954 he started at National Rail, working in the signal and telegraph department, where he spent most of his working life, moving to Grimsby in 1958.
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"He never expected to stay, though, but he ended up having children and settling down here. He married his wife, Audrey, in 1961, and had his three daughters, Annette, Elaine, and myself by 1968.
"His job at National Rail saw him originally based at the signal box on Welholme Road, but also had jobs at Holton-le-Clay and at the Grimsby Docks.
"As well as this, he also had times where he was a milkman and a bus conductor, he's really had a lot of jobs!
"Not to mention, for several years, he was the Freshney Place Father Christmas. He must have been a good one too, because he even convinced his grandchildren when they came to visit him!
"He finished off his career as a passenger guard at Cleethorpes and a freight guard at Immingham, before retiring in 1993 at around 16 years old."
Walter is going to be celebrating with many of his big family heading to his home for an open house. He has three daughters, six grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.
Another major part of his life is his religion, being a part of the Methodist community in Grimsby for 40 years.
When it's not a leap year, Walter usually celebrates his birthday on March 1, but his family always make sure to put in extra effort when February 29 comes around.
Denise said: "We always try and do something special for his leap year birthdays. Last time, we went for a bar meal with all the family to celebrate, and they couldn't work out why we were celebrating a 22nd birthday!"
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