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Thread: THE LAST TOMMY

  1. #1
    Senior Member DodgerH's Avatar
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    THE LAST TOMMY

    Try not to miss this

    Tuesday 8th November BBC1 at 2100hrs

    From nearly five and a half million who fought in the Great War.....5 remain alive today,4 in the UK and i think one in Canada.

    The eldest being 109.One includes the only survivor of the Xmas Truce in 1914

    Should be great viewing.....I SALUTE THEM ALL
    Anticipation of death,is worse than death itself

  2. #2
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    Re: THE LAST TOMMY

    Should be good viewing.
    No, its not that big and I have no idea how it works.

  3. #3
    Moderator Ventress's Avatar
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    Re: THE LAST TOMMY

    The end of a era. I remember the last Boer War veteran passing into Vallhalla. (A Canadian, who was Guest of Honour at the Albert Hall a few years ago aged 105)

    Was lucky enough to speak to some WW1 veterans on a Battlefield Tour on the Somme in 1992, a honour indeed.

    RIP gentlemen, and get the beers in up there!

  4. #4
    Senior Member abeaumont's Avatar
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    Re: THE LAST TOMMY

    In the mid seventies I was on parade as a PC at the Cenotaph several times. After all the usual important people had laid their wreaths and the service was over, there would be a march past by veterans. The really big cheers went up for the First World War men. I clearly remember how they marhced in neat rows, in perfect step, all wearing medals, hats, and carrying a long furled umbrella in their left hand. Truly impressive. Then there were so many, just three years ago down to 27, and now only 4. It cannot be long till the last old soldier sets off for The Great Naafi in the Sky. Whoever, and whenever, surely he should be properly honoured by the nation and not just dealt with by the Co-op. What do you all think? State Funeral? Westminster Abbey?
    Adrian

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  5. #5
    Moderator Mighty_doh_nut's Avatar
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    Re: THE LAST TOMMY

    I agree with Abeaumont....

    The last mans send off should be fitting, sat here all lumpy throated and choked at the thought.

    All of them were better men than me, I couldn't have fought in the trenches and endured what these men did. I used to bleat about being in the field in the wet for a couple of days.

    When we went on operations, you pretty much had an idea when you were coming home on R&R.

    Dependant on families wishes of course, I think the day of thier passing (hopefully a still a way away) should be marked with a very public dispaly of appreciation, pride and gratitude for so many's sacrifice.

  6. #6
    Senior Member jimmys_best_mate's Avatar
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    Re: THE LAST TOMMY

    The Aussies gave their last WW1 combat veteran a state funeral, he went to Valhalla a few weeks back (BBC story).

    The chances of Blair doing the right thing by a soldier are zero.

  7. #7
    Senior Member sparkysapper's Avatar
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    Re: THE LAST TOMMY

    Only 5 remaing from so many, i wonder what the odds are to have survived the Great War and still to be alive today, Gents i salute you all and when i get to the big NAAFI in the sky i will definatly get the beers in as my way of saying thanks, without your efforts the world would today be a different place.


    Sparky
    SNAFU (Situation Normal All Fcuked Up)



  8. #8
    Moderator Mighty_doh_nut's Avatar
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    Re: THE LAST TOMMY

    If the Aussies can give thier last man a State funeral why can't we?

    Any grown ups know if this has been mentioned in high up places?

  9. #9
    Senior Member Bravo2nothing's Avatar
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    Re: THE LAST TOMMY

    Quote Originally Posted by abeaumont
    In the mid seventies I was on parade as a PC at the Cenotaph several times. After all the usual important people had laid their wreaths and the service was over, there would be a march past by veterans. The really big cheers went up for the First World War men. I clearly remember how they marhced in neat rows, in perfect step, all wearing medals, hats, and carrying a long furled umbrella in their left hand. Truly impressive. Then there were so many, just three years ago down to 27, and now only 4. It cannot be long till the last old soldier sets off for The Great Naafi in the Sky. Whoever, and whenever, surely he should be properly honoured by the nation and not just dealt with by the Co-op. What do you all think? State Funeral? Westminster Abbey?
    I think certainly that something needs to be done to honour the survivers as much as the dead. Gods amongst Men for surviving what they did.
    Smoke Pints, Drink tabs.

  10. #10
    Member JediKnight's Avatar
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    Re: THE LAST TOMMY

    Lads, we seem to raise petitions for all sorts (of very worthy) things on here. Why not start a campaign to the MoD to ensure they make preparations for such an event. With these blokes being 100+ I think realistically there isn't much time! What say you all?
    Look at me, look away, look to the ground in shame!!!!

  11. #11
    Senior Member sparkysapper's Avatar
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    Re: THE LAST TOMMY

    Sign me up

    Sparky
    SNAFU (Situation Normal All Fcuked Up)



  12. #12
    Senior Member jimmys_best_mate's Avatar
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    Re: THE LAST TOMMY

    I'm in

  13. #13
    Senior Member DozyBint's Avatar
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    Re: THE LAST TOMMY

    I wonder if the lovely BFG can be persuaded to sort out an on-line petition?

  14. #14
    Moderator Mighty_doh_nut's Avatar
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    Re: THE LAST TOMMY

    I'm happy to pay for the domain name and hosting if someone can do the grown up part of constructing the site

  15. #15
    Senior Member abeaumont's Avatar
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    Re: THE LAST TOMMY

    Agreed, though I have no idea how to go about it. Only too pleased to help though.
    Adrian

    In the interests of the environment no trees were harmed in the transmission of this message, but a huge number of electrons were inconvenienced temporarily.

  16. #16
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    Re: THE LAST TOMMY

    Roger, I'm in
    Per Ardua

  17. #17
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    Re: THE LAST TOMMY

    I whole heartedly agree with the suggestion the last surviving soldier of WW1 be honoured with a State Funeral. It would be fitting to have contingents from ALL regiments, corps and services on parade.

    Incidentally I can also remember, in the early 1950s, veterans of the Boer War on parade in London, dignified men, many wearing 'Bowler' hats, marching to "Soldiers Of The Queen."

  18. #18
    Senior Member devilish's Avatar
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    Re: THE LAST TOMMY

    Count me in, anything I can help with, just give me a shout.
    Don't sit on the fence, it will jag your arrse.

    Dougal: Oho, Ted, the Italians know about football, all right. And fashion. God Ted, do you remember that man who was so good at fashion, they had to shoot him?

    fcuk him, if he's too slow, he's dead!

  19. #19
    RIP
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    Re: THE LAST TOMMY

    Just had a look

    thelasttommy.co.uk and lasttommy.co.uk are available

    edit - should have done the last bit by PM. Sorry

  20. #20
    Senior Member sparkysapper's Avatar
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    Re: THE LAST TOMMY

    Quote Originally Posted by FluffyBunny
    Just had a look

    thelasttommy.co.uk and lasttommy.co.uk are available

    I'll chip in towards the fund to run the site as well if that's OK with MDN (his suggestion after all)
    And me, it is after all a very worthy cause.

    Sparky
    SNAFU (Situation Normal All Fcuked Up)



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