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Veteran's funeral to take place Bells toll for veteran's funeral
(9 minutes later)
The funeral of WWI veteran Harry Patch, who died at the age of 111, is due to take place in Wells Cathedral later. The bells of Wells Cathedral are ringing 111 times to mark the start of the funeral of WWI veteran Harry Patch, who died at the age of 111.
Mr Patch, who was born in 1898 in Combe Down, near Bath, was Britain's last surviving soldier who fought in the trenches during the Great War.Mr Patch, who was born in 1898 in Combe Down, near Bath, was Britain's last surviving soldier who fought in the trenches during the Great War.
Many roads in the area will be closed along the route to be taken by the cortege and the service will be shown on a big screen on Cathedral Green. The service will be shown on a big screen on Cathedral Green.
Mr Patch died on 25 July in Wells, Somerset in south west England. Mr Patch died on 25 July at a care home in Wells, Somerset, in south west England.
It is expected the tolling of the bells will take about 50 minutes.
The Duchess of Cornwall and Duchess of Gloucester are due to attend the funeral service.The Duchess of Cornwall and Duchess of Gloucester are due to attend the funeral service.
Private burialPrivate burial
On Thursday morning the bells of Wells Cathedral will toll 111 times at 1100 BST to mark every year of Mr Patch's life. It is expected this will take around 50 minutes. His coffin will begin its journey from Fletcher House to the cathedral at 1130 BST.
His coffin will begin its journey from Fletcher House, the care home where he died, to the cathedral at 1130 BST.
Friend Jim Ross tells Jon Kay about the plans for the funeral of Harry PatchFriend Jim Ross tells Jon Kay about the plans for the funeral of Harry Patch
It will be flanked by six private soldiers of the Rifles Regiment, the successor to Mr Patch's Regiment, the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry.It will be flanked by six private soldiers of the Rifles Regiment, the successor to Mr Patch's Regiment, the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry.
Two soldiers from the armies of Belgium, France and Germany will also be taking part.Two soldiers from the armies of Belgium, France and Germany will also be taking part.
In this way the organisers of the funeral said they hoped to symbolise Mr Patch's desire for reconciliation and his view that, "irrespective of the uniforms we wore, we were all victims".In this way the organisers of the funeral said they hoped to symbolise Mr Patch's desire for reconciliation and his view that, "irrespective of the uniforms we wore, we were all victims".
Following the funeral service, Mr Patch's coffin will be taken from the cathedral for a private burial.Following the funeral service, Mr Patch's coffin will be taken from the cathedral for a private burial.
Oldest manOldest man
Mr Patch, who left school at the age of 15 to train as a plumber, was machine-gunner in the trenches and served as a plumber from June to September 1917.Mr Patch, who left school at the age of 15 to train as a plumber, was machine-gunner in the trenches and served as a plumber from June to September 1917.
He was married twice, first in 1919 in Hadley, Shropshire, to Ada - a marriage which lasted 60 years - and then to Jean when he was 81.He was married twice, first in 1919 in Hadley, Shropshire, to Ada - a marriage which lasted 60 years - and then to Jean when he was 81.
From 2003 he had a third partner, Doris, who lived in the same care home and died two years ago.From 2003 he had a third partner, Doris, who lived in the same care home and died two years ago.
At the time of his death Mr Patch was the oldest man in Europe, following the death exactly a week earlier of 113-year-old Henry Allingham, from East Sussex, who had been the world's oldest man.At the time of his death Mr Patch was the oldest man in Europe, following the death exactly a week earlier of 113-year-old Henry Allingham, from East Sussex, who had been the world's oldest man.
The service will be shown live on the BBC Somerset website.The service will be shown live on the BBC Somerset website.
A special edition of BBC Points West will pay tribute to Harry Patch's life on BBC One West (Sky 986) at 1830 BST and afterwards on the BBC iPlayer.A special edition of BBC Points West will pay tribute to Harry Patch's life on BBC One West (Sky 986) at 1830 BST and afterwards on the BBC iPlayer.
Will you pay your respects to Harry Patch today? Are you planning to watch the funeral service on the big screen?Will you pay your respects to Harry Patch today? Are you planning to watch the funeral service on the big screen?
Send your pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.
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