Busted: Despite their best efforts to subdue him, the Second World War veteran launched a counterattack
Posted on 02/28/2007 12:59:14 PM PST by protest1
100-year-old Buster fights off three muggers
Britain's oldest employee has told how he single-handedly fought off a gang of muggers.
Buster Martin, 100, a van cleaner for Pimlico Plumbers, was walking to a bus stop in south London when three youths pounced on him from behind.
Despite their best efforts to subdue him, the Second World War veteran launched a counterattack and sent them running empty-handed.
He said: "They obviously thought I would be an easy touch because I'm old. But they soon found out I'm still a good fighter.
"They just jumped on me and caught me unexpected. But they didn't realise how fast I would turn around on them.
"I was confused and I was lashing out at them. How the helI I found the strength I don't know. I think it came from my temper. I don't lose it often but when I do it's not a pretty sight."
The gang struck at around 10.30pm on Thursday as Mr Martin was leaving the Fox on the Hill pub in Denmark Hill.
Their blows sent him crashing to the floor but he managed to spring back up and defend himself:
"I hit one in the groin and I kicked another one. The foot I used had been operated on a week before for an in-growing toenail. They must have done a good job on it because it worked bloody well."
The muggers eventually gave up and ran off leaving their victim with cuts to his head and bruised ribs.
Mr Martin staggered to nearby King's College Hospital where he was kept in overnight.
He reported for duty at Lambethbased Pimlico Plumbers' the next day but bosses refused to let him work. Managing director-Charlie Mullins said: "It's typical of Buster to carry on as usual. He couldn't see what all the fuss was about. But he needs to take it easy for the moment.
"Had he been a weaker character it might have finished him off but Buster doesn't back down from anything. That's the kind of person he is."
Born in France in 1906, Mr Martin was brought to England when he was three months old and went to an orphanage in Cornwall after his parents died. But he was thrown out at the age of 10 "for eating too much and growing too fast".
He then travelled to London and found work running errands for stallholders at Brixton market. In 1920 he married and joined the Army. After leaving in 1955 he returned to the market.
Mr Martin, who lives in sheltered accommodation in Lambeth Walk, has 17 children and fathered the first at 15.
The man who celebrates his 101st birthday in September said: "As long as I still wake up in the morning, I will continue to work."
A 100 year old man fight off three muggers!!!!
"I hit one in the groin and I kicked another one. The foot I used had been operated on a week before for an in-growing toenail. They must have done a good job on it because it worked bloody well."
Those kids were crazy.
Even at 100, he still looks like one bad @ss dude.....;))
The man who celebrates his 101st birthday in September said: "As long as I still wake up in the morning, I will continue to work."
Awesome.The welfare state's archenemy
Hell of a man! They don't make em like that anymore.
I call BS. He tripped on his toenail and was so embarrassed he made up this story...
Pic shows Mr. Martin in handcuffs at the local police station prior to being charged with GBH on three teenagers including causing severe damage by kicking with his left foot....seen here propped up and awaiting the official photographer to take a pic of the offensive weapon.
he should have had a gun and put holes in their chests.
oh, i forgot, britain only allows criminals to have guns
100 years old? His hands look to be of a man in his 30's or 40's and his feet are remarkably smooth as well. Those are usually the ways you can tell age. They can "lift" everything else, but the hands and feet are a dead give away. This guy is remarkable. Not even an age spot.
He sure doesn't look 100 years old.
Once again, as with the Costa Rica geezer who broke the mugger's neck--the "greatest generation" show us what real men are made of. Not the metrosexual pussy Baby Boomers and their self-absorbed Generation Y kids we have today, who cringe at the thought of any violence. Is it any wonder that the geezers destroyed Hitler and Tojo in less than 4 years and we aren't even close to victory in the WOT now? The Pentagon brass are a bunch of desk jockeys and lawyers who squirm about killing Muslim "civilians" and treat our fighting men as criminals if they so much as look crosseyed at an Iraqi combatant. Women must be so disgusted. There simply are no real men anymore.
I'm sure that tomorrow's headline will be that he's been arrested for assaulting the "youts" in question.
He needs to meet that 70yo Marine that kicked ass in Costa Rica a few days ago.
Bullcrap.
Chuck Norris and Jack Bauer want to be Buster Martin when they grow up.
Well they certainly aren't leading us.
Ping
I think you are mistaken in your thought processes.
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