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WWI veteran's funeral under way WWI veteran's funeral under way
(20 minutes later)
The cortege of World War I veteran Harry Patch has begun its journey from the care home in Somerset where he died to Wells Cathedral. The coffin of World War I veteran Harry Patch has arrived at Wells Cathedral for the start of his funeral service.
The Cathedral bells are ringing 111 times to mark the start of the funeral. The coffin was flanked by six private soldiers of the Rifles Regiment, the successor to Mr Patch's Regiment, the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry.
The coffin is 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 are also pall bearers for Mr Patch, who died last month aged 111.
Two soldiers from the armies of Belgium, France and Germany will also be taking part. Thousands of people lined the streets of Wells as the cortege passed through.
Mr Patch, who was born in 1898 in Combe Down, near Bath, died on 25 July at Fletcher House care home in Wells, Somerset, south west England.Mr Patch, who was born in 1898 in Combe Down, near Bath, died on 25 July at Fletcher House care home in Wells, Somerset, south west England.
He was Britain's last surviving soldier who fought in the trenches during the Great War. The service will be shown on a big screen on Cathedral Green. Harry Patch was the oldest man in Europe when he died aged 111
It is expected the tolling of the bells will take about 50 minutes. He was Britain's last surviving soldier who fought in the trenches during the Great War. The service is being shown on a big screen on Cathedral Green.
Private burial The Duchess of Cornwall and Duchess of Gloucester are attending the funeral service.
The Duchess of Cornwall and Duchess of Gloucester are due to attend the funeral service.
The Ministry of Defence said the involvement of soldiers from France, Belgium and Germany symbolised Mr Patch's desire for reconciliation and his view that, "irrespective of the uniforms we wore, we were all victims".The Ministry of Defence said the involvement of soldiers from France, Belgium and Germany symbolised Mr Patch's desire for reconciliation and his view that, "irrespective of the uniforms we wore, we were all victims".
Friend Jim Ross tells Jon Kay about the plans for the funeral of Harry Patch
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.
Mr Patch, who left school at the age of 15 to train as a plumber, was a machine-gunner in the trenches and served as a private from June to September 1917.Mr Patch, who left school at the age of 15 to train as a plumber, was a machine-gunner in the trenches and served as a private 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.
Friend Jim Ross tells Jon Kay about the plans for the funeral of Harry Patch
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 is being 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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