DARTFORD: Former boxing champion celebrates 102nd birthday (From News Shopper)

DARTFORD: Former boxing champion celebrates 102nd birthday

7:00am Thursday 7th May 2009

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A FORMER heavyweight boxing champion celebrated his 102nd birthday yesterday (May 5).

Henry Hobin was joined by Mayor of Dartford Councillor Ian Armitt at his home at Wilmington Manor care home in Common Lane, Dartford, for a party to mark the occasion.

During the second world war Mr Hobin operated barrage balloons in Blackheath, which were sent into the sky to obstruct Nazi bomber planes, and he went onto win heavyweight titles on the British boxing scene.

Wilmington Manor activities organiser Janice Guyten said: “Henry has told me tongue in cheek he has had such a long and happy life because he never got married or had children, and I think he meant it.

“He’s not so good at communicating any more, but he was smiling and waving during the party and seemed to be having a great time.”

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