[QUOTE=Watcher;4173792]Sadly I think that Harry Patch was the last soldier of the Great War; the last Brit was Claude Choules who was in the RN. He died last year.

It is a passing generation. When I was at school our English teacher had been one of the first troops on the beach on D Day (he was RE). I worked with a guy who was a bomber pilot in the Great War; a guy who had flown Thunderbolts in the far east, all sorts. The stories they could tell.....they were a breed apart. I hope we can match them.[/QUOTE]

I don't think your generation are doing too badly mate.

Originally Posted by Watcher

Sadly I think that Harry Patch was the last soldier of the Great War; the last Brit was Claude Choules who was in the RN. He died last year....

The last living verified veteran of World War I (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918 is Florence Green, a British woman who served in the Allied armed forces.

Indeed it would appear that she is the last living veteran of the Great War.

Here's a slightly better photo:

Showing wings over breast pocket and beret at a jaunty angle.

one of the 'originals' RIP





And again here second from the right.

Originally Posted by SUNRAY_MINOR

Here's a slightly better photo:

Showing wings over breast pocket and beret at a jaunty angle.

one of the 'originals' RIP





And again here second from the right.

Thanks for uploading those. The photo that I thought had already appeared in our 'Ally Thread' was the one where he was sat holding a pistol.

RIP, hard as nails that man.

Originally Posted by 2/51

My god, I knew Jimmy, he drank in my local pub a few miles outside Laurencekirk! We all thought he was a complete fruit loop! He could alsways be seen in a bottle green suit he must have bought in the 60's, muddy wellies and a pipe. I was told numerous stories about him by the old boys. but never about any militady service. Apparently as a kid he would run behind the school bus as they would not let him on because of his farmyard smell. He also apparently dug a snow tunnel from a village called Auchenblae to Stonehaven,about 12 miles, during a particularly severe winter so that the village could get food. I guess he typified a SAS vetran, unasuming, slightly strange and never spoke about his times in the SAS. RIP Jimmy

Just for the record, Jimmy grew up in Ayr, and met his future wife Morag whilst briefly stationed in Brechin with the 11th Scottish Commandos. He moved to Muchalls in 1948 and lived there until his death in a nursing home in Laurencekirk, so I'm afraid none of the Laurencekirk stories are true. Jimmy Storie was my father and was the last survivor of L Detachment (see The SAS war Diary Originals Edition)

Originally Posted by BHST2001

Just for the record, Jimmy grew up in Ayr, and met his future wife Morag whilst briefly stationed in Brechin with the 11th Scottish Commandos. He moved to Muchalls in 1948 and lived there until his death in a nursing home in Laurencekirk, so I'm afraid none of the Laurencekirk stories are true. Jimmy Storie was my father and was the last survivor of L Detachment (see The SAS war Diary Originals Edition)

Then I appoligise as I have the wrong person. There was Jimmy Storie living in Auchenblae at the time I lived there, about 6 miles from Laurencekirk. He would have been about the right age etc. This would explain why I had never heard any war stories and my confusion.

Once more I do hope I have not caused any distress, it was a genuine mistake. I think it is fair to say that we all have great admiration for men like your father and I offer my deepest condolences to you and your family.

May he rest in peace.

Originally Posted by 2/51

Then I appoligise as I have the wrong person. There was Jimmy Storie living in Auchenblae at the time I lived there, about 6 miles from Laurencekirk. He would have been about the right age etc. This would explain why I had never heard any war stories and my confusion. Once more I do hope I have not caused any distress, it was a genuine mistake. I think it is fair to say that we all have great admiration for men like your father and I offer my deepest condolences to you and your family. May he rest in peace.

Not a problem, I understand that it was a genuine mistake. On behalf of the family I would like to you and the others for your kind words concerning the passing of my father, he was indeed a very humble man and shall be sadly missed.

Originally Posted by BHST2001

Not a problem, I understand that it was a genuine mistake. On behalf of the family I would like to you and the others for your kind words concerning the passing of my father, he was indeed a very humble man and shall be sadly missed.

Seems I confused your father with a local character, Jimmy Scorgie. I text a friend who confirmed I am an idiot and gave me the correct name. In my defense, when I knew this person I was new to the area and struggled with the Mearns accent.

Appologies once more.

WW2 veterans on the whole, and SF in particular have fully experienced the horror of war.

To be able to get through that, and go on to lead a life in fairly ordinary jobs, such as teacher, bank clerk, local tradesman and ticket inspector, I have always found remarkable.

A generation more hardy, is unlikely to be seen again.

Cap doffed.