AT almost 102, Ron Lintott is believed to be the oldest living fire fighter from the London Blitz. He was one of the heroic fire-fighters who helped Britain to survive, serving for three-and-a-half years at the height of the Blitz. Now living a quieter life in Shottermill House, a care home in Haslemere, he celebrated his 102nd birthday on July 12. Ron and his wife Babs had planned to celebrate their 80th wedding anniversary a few days earlier, on July 7, making them a contender for Britain's longest married couple.  But sadly, 99 year-old Babs died, just days before, on July 3, after a short stay in hospital. It was love at first sight for Ron, when they met in the 1920s. He had gone to help with the hay gathering at a farm in Surrey, where Babs was caring for the farmer's elderly wife. Ron worked for the rest of the summer on the farm, and he and Babs continued courting for the following 12 months.  Babs then travelled to Canada to help her sister. Undaunted, Ron bought a boat ticket and followed her. He found a job and proposed to her.  The Lintotts were married in Saskatoon, Canada, in 1927. Two years later they returned to Haslemere.  Their first child, Raymond was born in 1930, followed 14 years later by their second son, Michael.  Although Ron had no experience in construction, he built a bungalow on family land in Camelsdale, where he and Babs lived for many years. Ron worked in his father's business, 'Lintotts of Haslemere', which made walking sticks using traditional methods.  When Coopers took over the firm, they asked him to stay on and he worked there until he retired in 1983. Ron and Babs Lintott were members of Hope Baptist Church for more than 40 years, and many people in Haslemere, including the current cook at Shottermill House, Barbara Royall, have fond memories of hours passed in the Sunday school classes they took. Ron was Sunday School superintendent and Babs taught in the infants' section. They became familiar figures around town as they collected the children for Sunday School. Ron used to drive a motor bike and side car; the children loved piling into the side car with pint- sized Babs. Later a 'bubble car' replaced the bike but by today's standards Ron would have been warned about overloading. Some of their former pupils still pay visits to Shottermill House. Ron and Babs were devoted to each other. Ron admits to having had the usual ups and downs of married life but says that Babs always put the matter right by saying, "I love you Ron". A Thanksgiving Service for Babs was held in the care home on July 11, conducted by Hope Baptist member, and Pilgrim Homes' supporter, Charles Sleeman. The service was attended by a number of friends, including past Sunday School members. The Lintott's grandson, the Reverend Paul Lintott, spoke movingly about his grandmother, and Ron thanked God for their life together. Since Babs died, care home staff say that Ron is still upright and lively.  "He still goes out to Tesco to shop and have a coffee with his nephew," said home administrator Ruth Page. "Before Babs died, when he mentioned that it would soon be his 80th wedding anniversary, Tesco's staff gave him a bouquet of flowers." Although Ron is coming to terms with the loss of his beloved, life-long partner, he says he is comforted by the assurance that they will be reunited.