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by Adam Williams
Fred Finn knows a thing or two about air miles, having notched up 15 million of them to claim the title of World’s Most Travelled Man.
Fred, 69, was born in Canterbury in 1940 but now splits his time living between Esher in Surrey and the Ukraine.
He returned to his native county recently to renew his wedding vows with wife Alla at St Martin’s Church, Canterbury after making the promise when they tied the knot last year.
The couple and relatives were also treated to a special celebration and tasting session at Shepherd Neame.
In 1983, Guinness handed Fred his title and one of his records will never be surpassed, 718 flights by Concorde.
He said: “I’m pretty sure nobody else has come close so far to beating my record, but I know for sure the Concorde one will die with me.
“I used to be an international director for a major company in the USA, so that’s why I was spending a great deal of time on a plane. I reckon I’ve flown across the Atlantic around 2,000 times and visited Africa 600 times, so that’s where the miles start building up.”
Fred, a former company director and now broker, was born in St Margaret’s Hospital and lived in St Martin’s Road before moving to Devon, aged 16.
His father was a former head boy at Simon Langton Grammar School and Fred’s school friends included former Kent Cricket captain Alan Ealham.
Seventeen other Frederick Finns have their names etched on gravestones at St Martin’s Church. Despite having visited every corner of the world, Fred still rates Kent as a special place in his heart.
He added: “It’s full of so much character, like the world’s smallest railway from Dymchurch to Romney Marsh, the oldest brewery at Shepherd Neame and all the history that surrounds the Battle of Britain too.
“For me it’s always home and I’ll be back to visit again in December.”
