Saturday - July 18, 2009
And now there are 2
LONDON – The world’s oldest man, 113-year-old World War I veteran Henry Allingham, died Saturday after spending his final years reminding Britain about the 9 million soldiers killed during the conflict.
Allingham was the last surviving original member of the Royal Air Force, which was formed in 1918. He made it a personal crusade to talk about a conflict that wiped out much of a generation. Though nearly blind, he would take the outstretched hands of visitors in both of his, gaze into the eyes of children, veterans and journalists and deliver a message he wanted them all to remember.
“I want everyone to know,” he told The Associated Press during an interview in November. “They died for us.”
Only a handful of World War I veterans remain of the estimated 68 million mobilized. There are no French veterans left alive; the last living American-born veteran is Frank Woodruff Buckles of Charles Town, West Virginia.
“It’s the end of a era — a very special and unique generation,” said Allingham’s longtime friend, Dennis Goodwin, who confirmed Allingham’s death. “The British people owe them a great deal of gratitude.”
As near as I can tell, there are still two men left alive who served in that conflict. England’s Harry Patch, 110, and America’s Frank Buckles, 108. Time marches on; let’s hope that the lessons learned in the mud of France have not been forgotten.
Just last month, in June, Mr. Allingham became the world’s oldest man:
2009 June 19
Henry Allingham, the last surviving founder of the RAF, has become the world’s oldest man the Guinness Book of World Records has confirmed.
At 113 Allingham, one of two remaining British World War I veterans, is the oldest British man ever. Born 6 June 1896 he is also the sole survivor of the Battle of Jutland and has seen the reign of six monarchs.
When asked how he had lived so long, Mr Allingham, who held the Legion d’Honneur, said: “I don’t know if there is a secret, but keeping within your capacity is vital.
He jokingly attributed his longevity to “cigarettes, whisky and wild, wild women”.
A spokesman for Buckingham Palace said: “The Queen was saddened to hear of the death of Henry Allingham.
“He was one of the generation who sacrificed so much for us all.
“Her thoughts are with his family during this time.”
full obituary is here.
Posted by Drew458
on 07/18/2009 at 10:55 AM
Filed Under: • History • Military •
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