This 89-year-old war veteran’s ad looking for work touched hearts, went viral

Joe Bartley, 89, flooded with job offers after placing advert in Herald Expres https://t.co/GQERVUQ9Qo pic.twitter.com/68Tqse96mN

— Herald Express (@TQHeraldExpress) November 29, 2016

Awww…!

An 89-year-old war veteran has been inundated with job offers after his ad looking for work to save him from “dying of boredom” went viral.

Joe Bartley from Paignton, Devon, retired 6 years ago, but discovered that unemployed life wasn’t for him. Suffering from boredom and loneliness, he put an advert in his local newspaper, the Herald Express, hoping to find something to occupy his time and allow him to meet new people.

Apparently, since his wife died, he’s felt incredibly lonely.

“I miss my wife dreadfully, and when you live on your own there is no one to speak to. Since she died I’ve moved into a flat and it’s a big block. Once you walk into that flat it’s like solitary confinement,” he said.

Also, he doesn’t like depending on the government.

“I would feel more like Joe — now I don’t feel like Joe because I’ve got to depend on the Council for rent and everything else. You see when you’re working for yourself you’re more or less self contained.” he said in an interview with ITV news.

I LOVE this man’s spirit — and what an interesting idea, that relying on the government to take care of you robs you of part of your identity!  Since his ad has gone viral, he’s gotten several offers for one-off jobs, but he’s still looking for reliable work.  Asked about how he felt about his newfound fame, and he responded, Rather chuffed. The thing that has always kept me going is my sense of humour. I like a laugh — and I like a happy ending.

Watch an interview with this veteran by clicking continue: