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by gsm44 on 26 July 2009 - 11:07
Last WW1 trenches hero passes away.
Harry Patch, the last survivor of World War One to fight in the trenches, has died.
He passed away at Fletcher House, the care home in Somerset where he was living. He was 111.
The care home released a statement which read: "It is with much sadness that we must announce the death of Mr Harry Patch at the age of 111."
The statement continued: "Funeral arrangements are being made in accordance with Mr Patch's wishes, and we wish to extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends and the residents and staff of Fletcher House."
Mr Patch, known as the Last Tommy, fought in the battle of Passchendaele in 1917 in which more than 70,000 British troops died.
He became Britain's oldest man when another veteran of the war, Henry Allingham, died on July 18 aged 113.
Mr Patch was a machine-gunner in the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry. He served in the trenches as a private from June to September 1917.
Born on June 17 1898, he grew up in Combe Down, near Bath, and left school at the age of 15 to train as a plumber. He was 16 when war broke out and reached 18 as conscription was being introduced and after six months training he was sent to the front line.
Mr Patch joined two other veterans of the First World War - Mr Allingham and Bill Stone - to lay wreaths at the Cenotaph in central London on Armistice Day last November. All three men have now died.
At the time he said: "I am very happy to be here today. It is not just an honour for me but for an entire generation. It is important to remember the dead from both sides of the conflict. Irrespective of the uniforms we wore, we were all victims."
R.I.P.
Harry Patch, the last survivor of World War One to fight in the trenches, has died.
He passed away at Fletcher House, the care home in Somerset where he was living. He was 111.
The care home released a statement which read: "It is with much sadness that we must announce the death of Mr Harry Patch at the age of 111."
The statement continued: "Funeral arrangements are being made in accordance with Mr Patch's wishes, and we wish to extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends and the residents and staff of Fletcher House."
Mr Patch, known as the Last Tommy, fought in the battle of Passchendaele in 1917 in which more than 70,000 British troops died.
He became Britain's oldest man when another veteran of the war, Henry Allingham, died on July 18 aged 113.
Mr Patch was a machine-gunner in the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry. He served in the trenches as a private from June to September 1917.
Born on June 17 1898, he grew up in Combe Down, near Bath, and left school at the age of 15 to train as a plumber. He was 16 when war broke out and reached 18 as conscription was being introduced and after six months training he was sent to the front line.
Mr Patch joined two other veterans of the First World War - Mr Allingham and Bill Stone - to lay wreaths at the Cenotaph in central London on Armistice Day last November. All three men have now died.
At the time he said: "I am very happy to be here today. It is not just an honour for me but for an entire generation. It is important to remember the dead from both sides of the conflict. Irrespective of the uniforms we wore, we were all victims."
R.I.P.
by steve1 on 26 July 2009 - 11:07
Yes Mr Harry Patch, rest in peace a grand Soldier and a great ambassador in that he showed so much humility and thought only of his Fallen Comrades,VIP
Steve
Steve
by shostring on 26 July 2009 - 17:07
Mr Harry Patch thank you for your service to us and your dedication to your country rest in peace , my deapest sympathies to his family ,friends
by Bob-O on 26 July 2009 - 17:07
Until the news broke about Harry Patch I was not aware that any soldiers from that war were still alive. I do remember meeting an American soldier from that war when I was in my 20's. I am fortunate to remember both of my grandfathers who served in the Kaiser's army. May all these good men rest in peace.
Best Regards,
Bob-O
Best Regards,
Bob-O
by DebiSue on 26 July 2009 - 18:07
RIP Mr. Harry Patch. Thank you for your gallant service in a war that has become little more than a blurb in the history books as far as the current generation is concerned. Condolences to your families and friends. I'll bet there is a hell of a reunion going on somewhere now that he has met up with all those who went before him.
by SitasMom on 26 July 2009 - 18:07
a few weeks ago, we met a WW2 hero. we were at a feed store with the GSD's and he was just walking around the place.
he stopped us and admired our "real" German Shepherds, and then started talking and talking and talking. He told us of his time in the war, of some of his buddies who didn't make it home, of some of the fun times he had while over there.
even though we were in a very big hurry, we listened to him for almost an hour. first it was out of respect then because his stories were great.
before leaving, I asked him if he had recorded any of his stories, and then had someone put them on the internet. he thought it was a great idea and said that he would get right one it.......his eyes light up and he seemed very happy that someone would like to listen to his accounts.
i often wonder if he just likes to share his tiny piece of history or if he's living a very lonely life. I hope its the latter. Ive been back to that feed store a few more times, but couldn't find him and no one knew who he was.
he stopped us and admired our "real" German Shepherds, and then started talking and talking and talking. He told us of his time in the war, of some of his buddies who didn't make it home, of some of the fun times he had while over there.
even though we were in a very big hurry, we listened to him for almost an hour. first it was out of respect then because his stories were great.
before leaving, I asked him if he had recorded any of his stories, and then had someone put them on the internet. he thought it was a great idea and said that he would get right one it.......his eyes light up and he seemed very happy that someone would like to listen to his accounts.
i often wonder if he just likes to share his tiny piece of history or if he's living a very lonely life. I hope its the latter. Ive been back to that feed store a few more times, but couldn't find him and no one knew who he was.
by CrysBuck25 on 26 July 2009 - 21:07
Rest In Peace, Mr, Patch..
We thank you for your service.
Crys
We thank you for your service.
Crys
by Bob McKown on 27 July 2009 - 02:07
To honor the dead of the war is to honor the lifes they fought for and the examples they set for us. Long live the glorious dead.
May there peace be forever.
May there peace be forever.
by SitasMom on 27 July 2009 - 03:07
yes RIP
by steve1 on 27 July 2009 - 08:07
Bob
I second those thoughts
Steve
I second those thoughts
Steve
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