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Oldest WW1 veteran dies aged 113 | Oldest WW1 veteran dies aged 113 |
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Henry Allingham, the world's oldest man and one of the last surviving World War I servicemen, has died at the age of 113, his care home has said. | Henry Allingham, the world's oldest man and one of the last surviving World War I servicemen, has died at the age of 113, his care home has said. |
Mr Allingham served with the Royal Naval Air Service in WWI, later transferring to the Royal Air Force at the time of its creation | Mr Allingham served with the Royal Naval Air Service in WWI, later transferring to the Royal Air Force at the time of its creation |
Last month, Mr Allingham, born in 1896, became the world's oldest man. | Last month, Mr Allingham, born in 1896, became the world's oldest man. |
The Queen said he was "one of the generation who sacrificed so much for us all". | The Queen said he was "one of the generation who sacrificed so much for us all". |
A spokeswoman for Buckingham Palace said the Queen's "thoughts are with his family during this time". | A spokeswoman for Buckingham Palace said the Queen's "thoughts are with his family during this time". |
Bosses at his Brighton care home said everybody was "saddened by Henry's loss and our sympathy goes to his family". | Bosses at his Brighton care home said everybody was "saddened by Henry's loss and our sympathy goes to his family". |
His funeral will take place later this month at St Nicholas' Church in Brighton. | His funeral will take place later this month at St Nicholas' Church in Brighton. |
Mr Allingham, whose life has spanned three centuries and six monarchs, has five grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, 14 great-great grandchildren and one great-great-great grandchild. | Mr Allingham, whose life has spanned three centuries and six monarchs, has five grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, 14 great-great grandchildren and one great-great-great grandchild. |
His wife Dorothy, who he was married to for more than half a century, died in 1970. | His wife Dorothy, who he was married to for more than half a century, died in 1970. |
Prime Minister Gordon Brown paid tribute to the war hero, calling him a "tremendous character". | Prime Minister Gordon Brown paid tribute to the war hero, calling him a "tremendous character". |
"I had the privilege of meeting Henry many times. He was a tremendous character, one of the last representatives of a generation of tremendous characters," he said. | "I had the privilege of meeting Henry many times. He was a tremendous character, one of the last representatives of a generation of tremendous characters," he said. |
He added: "My thoughts are with his family as they mourn his passing but celebrate his life." | He added: "My thoughts are with his family as they mourn his passing but celebrate his life." |
And Prince Charles described Mr Allingham as "belonging to that incredible generation who did so much for their country". | And Prince Charles described Mr Allingham as "belonging to that incredible generation who did so much for their country". |
A Clarence House spokesman said: "The Prince of Wales was sad to hear of the death of Henry Allingham this morning. | A Clarence House spokesman said: "The Prince of Wales was sad to hear of the death of Henry Allingham this morning. |
"We owe him a huge debt of gratitude for all he has done." | "We owe him a huge debt of gratitude for all he has done." |
A minute's silence was held at Lord's to mark his passing before play got under way on the third day of the second Ashes test. | A minute's silence was held at Lord's to mark his passing before play got under way on the third day of the second Ashes test. |
'War memories' | 'War memories' |
He joined the Royal Navy Air Service in September 1915 and served in Ypres before transferring to the RAF in April 1918. | He joined the Royal Navy Air Service in September 1915 and served in Ypres before transferring to the RAF in April 1918. |
In November last year, he took part in ceremonies to mark the 90th anniversary of the end of WWI. | In November last year, he took part in ceremonies to mark the 90th anniversary of the end of WWI. |
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WW1 veteran Henry Allingham dies aged 113 | WW1 veteran Henry Allingham dies aged 113 |
Speaking before events began, Mr Allingham said he couldn't forget the war even if he wanted to. | Speaking before events began, Mr Allingham said he couldn't forget the war even if he wanted to. |
"I saw too many things I would like to forget but I never will forget them, I never can forget them," he said. | "I saw too many things I would like to forget but I never will forget them, I never can forget them," he said. |
For decades, he buried his war memories, avoiding reunions and refusing to discuss the events with his family. | For decades, he buried his war memories, avoiding reunions and refusing to discuss the events with his family. |
But, in 2005, he was persuaded to unveil an RAF memorial in France and decided it would have been disrespectful to his former comrades to refuse. | But, in 2005, he was persuaded to unveil an RAF memorial in France and decided it would have been disrespectful to his former comrades to refuse. |
This was followed by numerous honours and accolades. | This was followed by numerous honours and accolades. |
WORLD EVENTS SINCE 1896 1901 - Queen Victoria dies1914 - WWI begins1929 - The Wall Street Crash1945 - First atomic bomb detonated1953 - Everest climbed for the first time1963 - President Kennedy assassinated1969 - Neil Armstrong walks on the Moon1977 - Death of Elvis Presley1989 - Fall of the Berlin Wall1990 - Nelson Mandela freed from prison after 27 years2008 - US elects first black president Henry Allingham's life in pictures | WORLD EVENTS SINCE 1896 1901 - Queen Victoria dies1914 - WWI begins1929 - The Wall Street Crash1945 - First atomic bomb detonated1953 - Everest climbed for the first time1963 - President Kennedy assassinated1969 - Neil Armstrong walks on the Moon1977 - Death of Elvis Presley1989 - Fall of the Berlin Wall1990 - Nelson Mandela freed from prison after 27 years2008 - US elects first black president Henry Allingham's life in pictures |
He was given a doctorate in engineering from Southampton Solent University and was made an honorary freeman of Brighton and Hove. | He was given a doctorate in engineering from Southampton Solent University and was made an honorary freeman of Brighton and Hove. |
He was also made an honorary member of the Royal Naval Association, received a Legion d'Honneur and published his life story. | He was also made an honorary member of the Royal Naval Association, received a Legion d'Honneur and published his life story. |
Last month, the Royal Navy hosted a 113th birthday party on HMS President in London for his family, close friends and members of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. | Last month, the Royal Navy hosted a 113th birthday party on HMS President in London for his family, close friends and members of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. |
That was the last time his nephew Ronald Cator saw him. | That was the last time his nephew Ronald Cator saw him. |
Mr Cator said his uncle looked "very, very frail. He went downhill in the last few months." | Mr Cator said his uncle looked "very, very frail. He went downhill in the last few months." |
"He used to sleep a lot at the end. He wanted to pass away, poor old boy." | "He used to sleep a lot at the end. He wanted to pass away, poor old boy." |
Tributes | Tributes |
Dennis Goodwin, founder of the First World War Veterans' Association, led the tributes to Mr Allingham, the last survivor of the Battle of Jutland and his old friend. | Dennis Goodwin, founder of the First World War Veterans' Association, led the tributes to Mr Allingham, the last survivor of the Battle of Jutland and his old friend. |
"Henry was truly a gentleman - his strength of character, his purpose. He left quite a legacy to the nation of memories of what it was like to have been in WWI," he said. | "Henry was truly a gentleman - his strength of character, his purpose. He left quite a legacy to the nation of memories of what it was like to have been in WWI," he said. |
Veterans minister Kevan Jones said he was "greatly saddened" to hear of Mr Allingham's death. | Veterans minister Kevan Jones said he was "greatly saddened" to hear of Mr Allingham's death. |
"For one of his age, his vigour for life was extraordinary," he said. | "For one of his age, his vigour for life was extraordinary," he said. |
"I was humbled to meet somebody who had led such an amazing life and we owe such a huge debt of gratitude to him and his generation." | "I was humbled to meet somebody who had led such an amazing life and we owe such a huge debt of gratitude to him and his generation." |
Graham Mottram at the Fleet Air Arm Museum in Yeovilton said Mr Allingham was the "highest example" of a military man, who will be remembered for his "total even-handedness" in treating his colleagues in the forces, irrespective of age and rank. | Graham Mottram at the Fleet Air Arm Museum in Yeovilton said Mr Allingham was the "highest example" of a military man, who will be remembered for his "total even-handedness" in treating his colleagues in the forces, irrespective of age and rank. |
Robert Leader, chief executive of St Dunstan's care home in Ovingdean, near Brighton, said: "He was very active right up to his final days, having recently celebrated his 113th birthday on HMS President, surrounded by family. | Robert Leader, chief executive of St Dunstan's care home in Ovingdean, near Brighton, said: "He was very active right up to his final days, having recently celebrated his 113th birthday on HMS President, surrounded by family. |
Care home manager Helen Emmerson said caring for Henry had been a privilege | |
"As well as possessing a great spirit of fun, he represented the last of a generation who gave a very great deal for us. | "As well as possessing a great spirit of fun, he represented the last of a generation who gave a very great deal for us. |
"Henry made many friends among the residents and staff at St Dunstan's. He was a great character and will be missed." | "Henry made many friends among the residents and staff at St Dunstan's. He was a great character and will be missed." |
Mr Allingham is survived by Harry Patch, who turned 111 last month and is now one of the last two British survivors of WWI. | Mr Allingham is survived by Harry Patch, who turned 111 last month and is now one of the last two British survivors of WWI. |
Speaking from Fletcher House care home in Wells, Somerset, Mr Patch said he was "very sad at losing a friend". | Speaking from Fletcher House care home in Wells, Somerset, Mr Patch said he was "very sad at losing a friend". |
The other British survivor is Claude Choules, aged 108, who served with the Royal Navy and fought in the Battle of Jutland, as did Mr Allingham. | The other British survivor is Claude Choules, aged 108, who served with the Royal Navy and fought in the Battle of Jutland, as did Mr Allingham. |
Born in Worcestershire, he stayed in Australia after he was seconded there in the 1920s as an instructor to the Royal Australian Navy. | Born in Worcestershire, he stayed in Australia after he was seconded there in the 1920s as an instructor to the Royal Australian Navy. |
Did you ever meet Henry Allingham? What are your memories of him? Send us your comments using the form below. | Did you ever meet Henry Allingham? What are your memories of him? Send us your comments using the form below. |
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |