Thread: The last tommy

Red Mist UK - There are quite good interviews with all the last Tommys on The Sun website in the 'Life' section (Below 'Glamour Girls Shack Up' - but I suppose you can't have everything). All their regiments are listed although most are long gone.

With this government I can`t see anything like this happening but I really do hope it will, I cannot start to imagine what these chaps went through....

Well, it seems we are all in agreement for a change! So what do we do now? I say lets just get on with it. Is there anyone amongst us with the know how who can point us in the right direction and get us going? Lets not just set up a petition but for some sort of pressure group/committee and actually work out a proper cohesive strategy. Gain media publicity maybe get the RBL involved? Between us we MUST be able to DO something? I for one am very keen to take an active role in this but I wouldn’t know where to start regardless of my enthusiasm.

I feel that we (as serving and ex modern day Toms) are the ones with the right moral fibre, sense of decency, pride, honour and gratitude to put pressure on phoney Tony and his gang to ensure this happens. Let’s shame them into doing so! If we don’t do this then we may as well all be tarred with the same brush as the rest of the selfish, stupid chav populous out there!

Sorry, soapbox moment over, hope I have not upset anyone, I just feel strongly about this

Totally agree with you there Jedi. Whats the plan chaps???

Sorry all, I think I may be a bit behind the times with this, but isn't Ian Hislop of Private Eye a bit keen on things like this? Could we approach him for help/advice?

How about aproaching the RBL & the BBC wartime memories websites.If you are a member of a website like ARC (On-line modelling website) & others that have large number of servicemen from all over to support the cause.
Another one that springs to ming is www.servicepals.com
Spike

Busterdog wrote:

It would be fitting to have contingents from ALL regiments, corps and services on parade.

I have copied this over to the Mil Forum on Pprune, I'm sure you won't mind

Regards

PCD

Harry Patch, ex Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry, is one of the veterans interviewed for this programme. I was lucky enough to meet him at Talbot House (Toc H), Poperinghe, Belgium a couple of years ago whilst they were filming him for this forthcoming programe. Myself and a group of friends stood behind the cameraman as he was interviewed. He talked about his Lewis MG Team being hit by a German Shell on the Pilkem Ridge, during the Third battle for Ypres (Passendale) in 1917. Harry was the only survivor of that team and as he talked about the incident you could have heard a pin drop in the room. Not ashamed to say there wasnt a dry eye in the room.

It is now believed that there are only 5 British Western Front vets left alive in the UK.

I am in agreement with everyone else here that the last WW1 vet should have a state funeral. Perhaps the Western Front Association should be contacted as well. They have some good clout ref WW1 goings on etc.

FM

Petitions are a dangerous subject.

I have fallen foul of these before whilst fighting a local council scheme.

Any E-petitions, or Written for that fact, only carry the weight of the first signee.

it is much better to bring force by means of individual letters / emails to those who are being targetted.

'We had a petition in' cuts no weight.
'Weve had 120000 letters and emails in' tends to work much better


Just my own thought, feel free to ignore.

For myself, Ive put word of the issue across on a few other forums I frequent. I shall continue to do so.

Anyone know anyone in the media, to start getting this story out, how about everyone contacts their local TV station, radio station whatever, right to your local MP and ask him to raise this question in parliament when the PM is in, and not to just let the PM fob it off with we'll look into it, but keep up the pressure on those in power, I'm sure that the opposition would get behind this if for a reason no greater than trying to make the gov look bad. If enough local MPs get the request I am sure one will pipe up, although we don't like the sun much, it is one of the most widely read rags and like it or not, it holds sway, I'm sure with the whole boycott thing, they would be well up for regaining favor with HM forces, and this sort of petition is their thing, just ask them to do it with the taste this thing deserves, so maybe the sun bus with Page 3 birds isn't the right approach. I am gonna get sending some e-mails tomorrow, but before I do can we get a general consensus of whats wanted, a state funeral with full honors if the family and the veterans approve, what if they don't,w e wan tit acknowledging properly. Just an aside that no ones mentioned lads, we need to handle this delicately, I know how I would feel if the way I was to be sent off was turned into a public debate whilst I was still alive, I wouldn't like that constant reminder my time on Earth wasn't much more, I'm sure they know it and are brave enough to face it, but a bit of sensitivity and consideration guys ey, lets do it with class and tastefully.

I know how I would feel if the way I was to be sent off was turned into a public debate whilst I was still alive, I wouldn't like that constant reminder my time on Earth wasn't much more, I'm sure they know it and are brave enough to face it, but a bit of sensitivity and consideration guys ey, lets do it with class and tastefully.

Aye.

For info Sunday's (Nov 6th), News of World - sorry can't find link, is listing 9 UK WW1 survivors;

Subject to family aggreement, State Funeral for 'last man down' is a great idea

PZULBA - Out of Africa

Gents

I have Emailed my local MP - Gerald Howarth - to ask for his assistance in the recognition these great men deserve.

see draft below

Sir,

I am a member of your constituency, I am also a serving SNCO in the *****************, I voted for you in the election.
However I write to you concerning none of the above. I write to ask for your support in pressing for a state funeral for The Last, Last Tommy of the first world war - these brave men gave up all of their own rights and priviledges for almost 5 years between 1914 - 1918 to enable all of us to live in the world we do now. As has been widely reported in the national press - there are only four surviving of these great men still with us. We cannot even imagine the horrors they witnessed and the self sacrifice they gave for us. I believe as a nation we owe a massive debt to which everone is the last of his breed, the great honour of a state funeral with full military pomp and circumstance. Austraila has not long ago do just that to its last great war soldier. This would not be a funeral to an individual this would be a farewell to a complete generation who gave their tommorrow so that we could have our today.

I urge you to support me in this.

I will keep you updated to his reply.

Empire...I will try this with our local MP.He attends our local Festival of Rememberence so i will approach him on the very same matter.

Ive emailed my own MP, using Empire's as a template, changed a little

Sir,

I am a member of your constituency, I am also a serving JNCO in the Royal Engineers.

I write to ask for your support in pressing for a full state funeral for The Last, Last Tommy of the First World War. These brave men gave up all of their own rights and priviledges for almost 5 years between 1914 - 1918 to enable all of us to live in the world we do now. As has been widely reported in the national press - there are only a small number surviving of these great men still with us. We cannot even imagine the horrors they witnessed and the self sacrifice they gave for us and I believe as a nation we owe a massive debt to these men.
The great honour of a state funeral with full military pomp and circumstance is surely the only befitting end for such a fellow, indeed, Australia has not long ago done just that for its last Great War soldier.
This would not be a funeral of an individual, this would be a farewell to a complete generation who gave their tomorrow so that we could have our today. Our last chance to show those men of old that we owe them everything and appreciate so dearly what they have done for us.

I am aware of more serving soldiers who are writing to their own MP's, I am also aware that our last Tommy has not yet shuffled off his mortal coil! Long may all our surviving veterans of the Great War continue to live on, however there has to be a time when we look to the sorrowful time that eventually will befall us, and hence my writing to you now.

I ask most sincerely that you take this matter up.

My sincerest thanks

fatbadge

I await a reply...