Blitz fireman who lived through both World Wars celebrated 102nd birthday on Remembrance Day

Charles ‘George’ Barrow was born on November 11, 1913 in London- just eight months before the start of the First World War.

He celebrated his 102nd birthday at Danmor Lodge residential home in Weymouth surrounded by his friends.

George was never called to fight in the Second World War as his expert services were needed at home.

He was a firefighter before the war and he was required to stay at home to battle the Blitz in London.

George never married and has no family but was kept company on his birthday by his friend Lydia Holmes who he has known for more than 50 years and is also his next of kin.

She said: “He’s 102, he was born on Remembrance Day in 1913.

“He was a fireman in the Blitz in London. He didn’t go to war as they needed him for the Blitz.”

George lived in London most of his life, in the Marble Arch area, but moved to Weymouth to be closer to Lydia.

She said that he enjoyed his big day.

She said: “He was a bit tired by the end of it but he had a great birthday.”

Two years ago George celebrated with his telegram from the Queen but this year celebrated with cards and talking about old memories.

Despite his age and several falls and operations in recent years, George is still the life and soul of the home and regularly tells stories to residents.

Lydia said: “He is very resilient. He’s had several operations to remove cancer. He’s still doing really well and he goes around telling all the residents about the war.”

Firefighters spent long nights extinguishing fires during the Blitz after the targeted campaign started on London in 1940.

In the first 22 nights of air raids on the capital alone, firefighters are believed to have fought nearly 10,000 fires.

Winston Churchill famously described the fire service during the war as a 'grand lot and their work must never be forgotten.

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