Vintage car fan motors into next century at care home

A VINTAGE car fan who risked his life as a fireman during the Blitz on Hull will celebrate his 100th birthday tomorrow.

Charles Batte was born in the city on November 17 1911, the eldest of four siblings. Aged 10, he witnessed the R38 airship crash over the River Humber.

On leaving school, he started working for his father’s wholesale fruit and veg business, Samuel Batte Potato Merchants, which helped him buy his first motorbike, a new Garrard, at 16.

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“He did a bit of grass track motorcycle racing and also travelled all over the country with his cousin riding pillion, which must have been a real adventure in the late 1920s,” said son John.

After marrying Lucy in 1938, Charles joined the auxiliary fire service. By then a lover of cars, one of his chief duties was repairing fire engines and petrol-engined fire pumps. He also risked his life helping tackle the many blazing fires across the city, the most heavily bombed in the country outside London.

After the war, Charles continued to work for the family firm, setting up independently in 1947.

A member of the Vintage Sports-Car Club for many years, in retirement he continued to pursue his passion for driving and restoring vintage cars, including a prized 1925 Delage, right up until the age of 95. The great-grandfather will celebrate his birthday at the Moat House care home in Burbage, Leicestershire, where he moved in 2010, with his two sons. “He spends most of his time sitting quietly and reading the paper these days, but is excited about reaching 100 and is eagerly awaiting his telegram from the Queen,” said John.

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