Blaster bates biography for kids

THE vaults of Cheshire Constabulary contain many gems, but we are reminded here of one of our more colourful stars.

At 6ft 4in, with a vibrant personality and sense of adventure, our hero was once described by The Guardian newspaper as bearing a “striking resemblance” to the film star John Wayne.

Many people may not know that television favourite “Blaster” Bates, a demolition expert and after-dinner speaker, was also a Special Constable 235 in Crewe between 1968 and 1980.

Derek Macintosh Bates (aka Blaster) also played Rugby Union for Cheshire Constabulary.

The link between the star and the force was highlighted by Integrated Offender ManagerIain Paterson who asked if we could feature him.

Bates was born in February 1923 in Crewe, and started as an apprentice at Rolls Royce. During the Second World War he served as a Halifax Bomber pilot, where he learned explosive skills as a bomb disposal expert.

Iain said that after the war Bates los