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WWI veteran's funeral under way WWI veteran's funeral under way
(30 minutes later)
The coffin of World War I veteran Harry Patch has arrived at Wells Cathedral for the start of his funeral service. The funeral service for World War I veteran Harry Patch is under way at Wells Cathedral.
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. Soldiers from four countries acted as pall bearers for the coffin which was applauded by crowds of people as it was driven through the city of Wells.
Two soldiers from the armies of Belgium, France and Germany are also pall bearers for Mr Patch, who died last month aged 111. Thousands more people have gathered on the Cathedral Green to watch the service live on a big screen.
Thousands of people lined the streets of Wells as the cortege passed through. Following the funeral service, Mr Patch's coffin will be taken from the cathedral for a private burial.
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. Speaking during the service the Very Reverend John Clarke, Dean of Wells said: "Harry was an ordinary Somerset man, a plumber who tended his vegetable gardens, looked after his chickens but he became extraordinary, someone who was an icon for our nation and for western Europe."
'Extremely proud'
Veterans Minister Kevan Jones said: "Today marks the passing of a generation, and of a man who dedicated his final years to spreading the message of peace and reconciliation.
"Active participation in the Great War is now no longer part of living memory in this country, but Harry Patch will continue to be a symbol of the bravery and sacrifice shown by him and those he served with."
His great-nephew David Tucker, from Devizes, Wiltshire, said: "I feel extremely proud to have carried Harry's medals today.
"Echoing Harry's message of peace and reconciliation, I felt I was carrying the medals of all those who fought in the Great War, reflecting the service, dedication and sacrifice they gave to their countries."
Harry Patch was the oldest man in Europe when he died aged 111Harry Patch was the oldest man in Europe when he died aged 111
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. Mr Patch's 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 Duchess of Cornwall and Duchess of Gloucester are attending the funeral service. Two soldiers from the armies of Belgium, France and Germany also acted as pall bearers for Mr Patch, who died last month aged 111.
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".
Following the funeral service, Mr Patch's coffin will be taken from the cathedral for a private burial. 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 Duchess of Cornwall and Duchess of Gloucester are attending the funeral service.
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 is being 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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