Discuss The last tommy in Military History and Militaria on The Army Rumour Service; 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 ...
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.
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?
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.
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.
<a href="http://www.mybannermaker.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/O7o54.png" alt='Create your own banner at mybannermaker.com!' border=0 /></a><br>
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.
<a href="http://www.mybannermaker.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/O7o54.png" alt='Create your own banner at mybannermaker.com!' border=0 /></a><br>
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.
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?
Bookmarks