100 years old... and still hard at work

 

 

 

 

Not every worker would be given the day off to celebrate their birthday.

But, at the grand old age of 100, Buster Martin is entitled to some special treatment from the boss.

So, instead of carrying out his duties maintaining a fleet of vans, he will today take a VIP tour of Chelsea Football Club, his favourite team.

Mr Martin - who is believed to be Britain's oldest worker - is now in his 90th year of employment.

Three years ago he quit his job on a market stall but was looking for work again within a few weeks because he had 'too much time on his hands'.

'Boredom is a big killer of men,' he said. 'I went back to work as I like to keep active. If I did not work I would become miserable so I

don't want to stop working.' Mr Martin has been taken on as a part-time mechanic and valet by Pimlico Plumbers, which is based near his home in Lambeth, South London.

He puts in three to four hours every day and says he hopes to carry on until he is 125.

His boss Charlie Mullins said: 'We have quite a few old workers here, as I see experience as an asset.

'I was surprised at first that someone aged 97 wanted to work but he is definitely an asset.

'We have 100 vans in our company and I know I will never see a dirty one with Buster on the case.'

Fellow employee Richard Wilson, 36, said: 'It's good to see someone that age still working, you have to respect that. I certainly cannot see myself working at that age but good luck to the guy.'

Mr Martin was raised in a Cornish orphanage before being sent to London in 1916 at the age of ten.

He found work almost immediately, setting up stalls at Brixton market with a 2.30am start. He later joined the Army and fought in the Second World War. When his wife died in 1955 he switched to the Royal Navy.

He lives in sheltered accommodation without the use of a telephone. 'I have never in my life owned a phone - they are a nuisance,' he explained. 'You can be sitting peacefully indoors and they start ringing. I hate them.'

He has 17 children and more than 70 grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Go Buster! :dance:

I wanna do that

Ode to this guy!

17 kids? :o

17 kids? :o

 

Apparently he wants three more!;)

Wait... He's got 17 children and each of these children has about... 4,1 children.... So everybody in his family seems to be very.... prolific :thinking:

Wait... He's got 17 children and each of these children has about... 4' date='1 children.... So everybody in his family seems to be very.... prolific :thinking:[/quote']

 

I think you mean they breed like rabbits.;)

I think you mean they breed like rabbits.;)

Well yeah... Though rabbits have sex almost all the time and people can only have sex for like... four times or even less to have four children... Ermm yeah.

Apparently he wants three more!;)

I think he might have difficulty!

I think he might have difficulty!

 

How can you be so sure??:P

He doesnt look a day over...60!?! Really..he certainly doesnt look 100 anyway. :surprised:

 

Fair play to the guy.

One of my grandma's sisters died in the age of 91. And she really looked like she was 65 or anything like that. That's so weird that when somebody's too old he looks like he's just old, you know.

 

Besides, this sister of my grandma wore make up and nice dresses untll her last breath, she was always so fresh-looking and all... She probably didn't hear a word but was always very shiny.

One of my grandma's sisters died in the age of 91. And she really looked like she was 65 or anything like that. That's so weird that when somebody's too old he looks like he's just old, you know.

 

Besides, this sister of my grandma wore make up and nice dresses untll her last breath, she was always so fresh-looking and all... She probably didn't hear a word but was always very shiny.

 

Shiny?? Did she apply varnish every day?:rolleyes:

Shiny?? Did she apply varnish every day?:rolleyes:

 

Of course she did and also some plaster :wacky:

Of course she did and also some plaster :wacky:

 

Like a "Mummy":stunned:??

Like a "Mummy":stunned:??

No, she used Italian plaster, "Lithos" :nice:

No' date=' she used Italian plaster, "Lithos" :nice:[/quote']

 

:confused: