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Service marks lost WWI generation Service marks lost WWI generation
(about 1 hour later)
Westminster Abbey is to hold a special Armistice Day service following the deaths this year of the three remaining World War I veterans living in the UK.Westminster Abbey is to hold a special Armistice Day service following the deaths this year of the three remaining World War I veterans living in the UK.
The Queen will lead the country in observing a two-minute silence at 1100 GMT for the "passing of a generation".The Queen will lead the country in observing a two-minute silence at 1100 GMT for the "passing of a generation".
Bill Stone died at 108 in January followed by both Henry Allingham, 113, and Harry Patch, 111, in July.Bill Stone died at 108 in January followed by both Henry Allingham, 113, and Harry Patch, 111, in July.
The monarch will lay a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior and Mr Stone's daughter will give a reading.The monarch will lay a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior and Mr Stone's daughter will give a reading.
'Great inspiration''Great inspiration'
Gordon Brown will also attend along with former prime ministers John Major and Margaret Thatcher, although Tony Blair will be in the Middle East in his capacity as a special envoy.Gordon Brown will also attend along with former prime ministers John Major and Margaret Thatcher, although Tony Blair will be in the Middle East in his capacity as a special envoy.
Actor Jeremy Irons will read Last Post by the Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, during the service to recognise military and civilian contributions to the conflict.Actor Jeremy Irons will read Last Post by the Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, during the service to recognise military and civilian contributions to the conflict.
He was a great inspiration, a great man for going around schools and telling them what it had been like in the hope that people didn't do that sort of the thing again Ray Hazan, St Dunstan's Audio slideshow: Tommies' talesHe was a great inspiration, a great man for going around schools and telling them what it had been like in the hope that people didn't do that sort of the thing again Ray Hazan, St Dunstan's Audio slideshow: Tommies' tales
The silence, to be observed around the UK at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, marks the moment four years of war ended with the signing of the Armistice Treaty by Germany and the Allies.The silence, to be observed around the UK at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, marks the moment four years of war ended with the signing of the Armistice Treaty by Germany and the Allies.
Relatives of Mr Allingham, who was the world's oldest man, are expected to attend along with the president of St Dunstan's, a charity for blind and visually impaired ex-servicemen. Relatives of Mr Allingham from Sussex, who was the world's oldest man, are expected to attend along with the president of St Dunstan's, a charity for blind and visually impaired ex-servicemen.
Ray Hazan, 64, a former captain in the Royal Anglian Regiment, was blinded in 1973 by an IRA parcel bomb in Northern Ireland and became a friend of Mr Allingham's after his organisation starting helping the 113-year-old in 2005. Ray Hazan, 64, a former captain in the Royal Anglian Regiment, was blinded in 1973 by an IRA parcel bomb in Northern Ireland and became a friend of Mr Allingham's after his organisation started helping the 113-year-old in 2005.
He told the BBC: "He was a great inspiration, a great man for going around schools and telling them what it had been like in the hope that people didn't do that sort of the thing again."He told the BBC: "He was a great inspiration, a great man for going around schools and telling them what it had been like in the hope that people didn't do that sort of the thing again."
Mr Hazan said he brought history alive for children and had a "whale of a time" doing it.Mr Hazan said he brought history alive for children and had a "whale of a time" doing it.
"Henry was active right up until his final months, celebrating his 113th birthday on board HMS President and although he was starting to show his age, he was jubilant about being a teenager again."Henry was active right up until his final months, celebrating his 113th birthday on board HMS President and although he was starting to show his age, he was jubilant about being a teenager again.
"We hope that men like Henry... can be an inspiration to the troops currently putting their lives on the line in Afghanistan.""We hope that men like Henry... can be an inspiration to the troops currently putting their lives on the line in Afghanistan."
Representatives from every county with links to the war will attend the service along with various members of the armed forces, government, ambassadors and high commissioners.Representatives from every county with links to the war will attend the service along with various members of the armed forces, government, ambassadors and high commissioners.