This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/somerset/7931817.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| WWI veteran receives French award | WWI veteran receives French award |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Harry Patch, the last surviving British veteran of the trenches of World War I, has been made an Officer of the French Legion of Honour. | Harry Patch, the last surviving British veteran of the trenches of World War I, has been made an Officer of the French Legion of Honour. |
| The 110-year-old, who returned to Bath in 1918, was awarded the medal by the French Ambassador at his nursing home in Wells, Somerset. | The 110-year-old, who returned to Bath in 1918, was awarded the medal by the French Ambassador at his nursing home in Wells, Somerset. |
| The British veteran already received the Chevalier of the Order award in 1998. | The British veteran already received the Chevalier of the Order award in 1998. |
| Receiving the award, Mr Patch said it was a great honour. | Receiving the award, Mr Patch said it was a great honour. |
| Mr Patch fought in the battle of Passchendaele while serving in France. | Mr Patch fought in the battle of Passchendaele while serving in France. |
| 'Greatly appreciated' | 'Greatly appreciated' |
| He said he was delighted to be appointed a Knight of the Legion of Honour 10 years ago, along with 350 other veterans from World War I. | He said he was delighted to be appointed a Knight of the Legion of Honour 10 years ago, along with 350 other veterans from World War I. |
| When I eventually rejoin my mates it [the medal] will be displayed in my regimental museum as a permanent reminder of the kindness of the people of France Harry Patch | When I eventually rejoin my mates it [the medal] will be displayed in my regimental museum as a permanent reminder of the kindness of the people of France Harry Patch |
| At the ceremony, he said: "Now, but two of us remain at our post and the people of France, through their president, have honoured us once more by appointing us as Officers of the Legion of Honour. | At the ceremony, he said: "Now, but two of us remain at our post and the people of France, through their president, have honoured us once more by appointing us as Officers of the Legion of Honour. |
| "Ambassador, I greatly appreciate the way your people respect the memory of those who fell, irrespective of the uniform they wore. | "Ambassador, I greatly appreciate the way your people respect the memory of those who fell, irrespective of the uniform they wore. |
| "I will wear this medal with great pride and when I eventually rejoin my mates it will be displayed in my regimental museum as a permanent reminder of the kindness of the people of France." | "I will wear this medal with great pride and when I eventually rejoin my mates it will be displayed in my regimental museum as a permanent reminder of the kindness of the people of France." |
| Mr Patch, who grew up in Coombe Down, near Bath, never spoke in public about World War I until he turned 100. | Mr Patch, who grew up in Coombe Down, near Bath, never spoke in public about World War I until he turned 100. |
| Veterans Minister Kevan Jones said the UK owed a great deal to the men and women like Mr Patch. | Veterans Minister Kevan Jones said the UK owed a great deal to the men and women like Mr Patch. |
| "He served with such distinction during wars to protect our liberty. | "He served with such distinction during wars to protect our liberty. |
| "I welcome this award which pays tribute to him for the huge contribution he has made. We are justly proud of his service and thank the French government for this honour," he added. | "I welcome this award which pays tribute to him for the huge contribution he has made. We are justly proud of his service and thank the French government for this honour," he added. |
| Advertisement | |
| WWI veteran receives honour award |