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Former regional daily journalist celebrates 100th birthday

A former reporter who worked at a regional daily for more than 50 years is celebrarting his 100th birthday today.

Francis Cornwall started out at The Argus in Brighton, then known as the Evening Argus, as a budding reporter in 1929 at the age of 14.

He was instructed to wear a trilby at all times while working, relying on his bicycle to carry him across the area chasing stories, and he had to serve a five-year apprenticeship before getting a pay rise.

Francis retired from the Argus in 1987 and will mark his century today with a family meal out, while his care home is also throwing a party for him.

Francis looks at an old cutting from the Argus.

Francis looks at an old cutting from the Argus.

He told his former paper: “I’ve had a good working life and I’m jolly glad I managed to survive being a reporter.”

Francis, who was known to his friends as Bert, married his wife Louie in 1934 and the couple had two daughters.

He was called up for duty in the Second World War but this did not deter him from reporting, because he acted as a war correspondent while serving in countries such as Burma, Iran, Iraq and South Africa.

Francis also worked for the Hastings Observer and Southern TV and he sold tips and stories to Fleet Street newspapers to help pay for tuition for his children.

His daughter Jacqueline Cook said: “I’m very proud of him. He has thoroughly enjoyed reminiscing over his time at The Argus. It’s so great to see he is still full of life and having a good time.

“He is spoilt and loved at the care home and we are taking him to his favourite restaurant to celebrate. He loves it there because the Italian family who run it are really attentive to him.”

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  • April 27, 2015 at 1:42 pm
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    It’s a big news day. Congratulations, Bert, on a wonderful milestone. I’m sure he once told me that carrier pigeons played a part in getting copy from his Hastings office to Brighton HQ. Here’s wishing him many more happy birthdays.

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  • April 27, 2015 at 10:00 pm
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    He’s done wonderfully well. Journalists don’t often make old bones because of the pressures of the job. But Francis obviously enjoyed the newspaper business, and made life less complicated for himself by sticking with the one paper.
    I think he’s only the second reporter I can recall who reached his ‘ton’. Well done, sir!

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  • April 30, 2015 at 5:06 pm
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    Another man who deserves to be honoured by the Queen.

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