Charles, 95, writes his way into record books

A 95-year-old man who left school aged 14 without any qualifications has become the oldest person to be awarded a PhD by a UK university.

Dr Charles Betty, formerly of Farnsfield, completed his thesis at Northampton Uni-versity through a long-distance programme from his home in Spain.

Almost a dozen members of his family, including his daughter, Mrs Jill Oakham, and her husband, Bob, of Claypole, were among those to watch him receive his doctorate.

"It was a wonderful day," she said.

As part of his PhD, Dr Betty researched the experiences of older ex-pats who decided to move back to the UK from Spain.

He and his wife, Eileen, have lived in Spain for more than 30 years.

Dr Betty drew on his own experiences as inspiration for his thesis.

In 1995 he co-founded Age Care Association, an organisation that helps and supports the older British community on the Costa del Sol.

"It has six meeting points where members can exchange thoughts, experiences and problems about living in Spain," he said.

"It was this involvement that prompted me to consider writing a PhD — and, as they say, the rest is history."

Dr Betty joined the Royal Welch Fusiliers when he was 18 and served for five years before being wounded in France during the second world war and sent home.

Two years ago he was awarded the French medal, Legion d’honneur, for his services in the conflict.

He said just before he left the Army he saw a notice saying there would be a need for teachers when the war was over and decided to apply.

"I was accepted and trained at the Kirkby College of Education in Liverpool," he said.

"I have often thought about why I was accepted as I did not have the necessary qualifications."

He went on to be the head of two schools in the 1960s, andwas also a senior inspector of education in Nottinghamshire, a role he retired from in 1985.

Dr Betty holds masters degrees from Brighton and Nottingham universities.

"I have always been interested in academia," he said.

"During a visit to the US I discovered I could obtain a doctorate in education by long-distance learning. I gained it in 2005 but I wanted to obtain a PhD from the UK."