Obit: World's oldest man-Henry Allingham, age 113

Subject: Obit: World's oldest man
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 18 Jul 09 - 07:06 AM

Henry Allinham, last survivor of WW1, served at Battle of Jutland and on Western Front, founder member of RAF.
Age 113.
Some life.

Subject: RE: Obit: World's oldest man
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 18 Jul 09 - 07:07 AM

Henry Allingham

Subject: RE: Obit: World's oldest man
From: Midchuck
Date: 18 Jul 09 - 08:23 AM

It's proper that this thread stay "above the line." There's a definite music reference:

The BBC News article states that he "always attributed his long life to 'cigarettes, whisky and wild, wild women.'"

Peter.

Subject: RE: Obit: World's oldest man
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 18 Jul 09 - 08:36 AM

3 centuries and 6 monarchs !! The changes and events that man had been witness to. What a guy !

Subject: RE: Obit: World's oldest man
From: gnomad
Date: 18 Jul 09 - 08:39 AM

Oldest man and last Jutland survivor, but not quite the last British WW1 veteran, Harry Patch is still with us.

Either way, may Henry Allingham rest in peace. I don't forget newsreel coverage of his attending the cenotaph a year or two back, and his valiant attempt to stand for the ceremony.

Subject: RE: Obit: World's oldest man
From: jeddy
Date: 18 Jul 09 - 09:04 AM

i remember that too. we are definately a poorer country for losing him. may the gods keep you safe.. until we see you again. until then have fun out there. we love and thankyou for your bravery and sense of humour.

jade x x x x x x x x xx

Subject: RE: Obit: World's oldest man
From: fat B****rd
Date: 18 Jul 09 - 09:14 AM

All of the above. RIP Mr. Allingham

Subject: RE: Obit: World's oldest man
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 18 Jul 09 - 02:21 PM

This morning after hearing the news, I added two youtube videos of Henry to Reg Meuross's 'Harry Farr' Myspace page..just in case anyone wanted to see and hear Henry talking about the Somme, and having a party with Vera Lynne too.

Henry on Harry Farr's page




And another poppy fell..........

Subject: RE: Obit: World's oldest man-Henry Allingham, age 113
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 18 Jul 09 - 02:41 PM

I hope 'jeddy' doesn't mind, but on her Facebook page today, she posted this video, and I thought others may like to see it..

A Pittance of Time by Terry Kelly - Youtube

Taken from that Youtube page:

"On November 11, 1999 Terry Kelly was in a Shoppers Drug Mart store in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. At 10:55 AM an announcement came over the store's PA asking customers who would still be on the premises at 11:00 AM to give two minutes of silence in respect to the veterans who have sacrificed so much for us.

Terry was impressed with the store's leadership role in adopting the Legion's "two minutes of silence" initiative. He felt that the store's contribution of educating the public to the importance of remembering was commendable.

When eleven o'clock arrived on that day, an announcement was again made asking for the "two minutes of silence" to commence. All customers, with the exception of a man who was accompanied by his young child, showed their respect.

Terry's anger towards the father for trying to engage the store's clerk in conversation and for setting a bad example for his child was later channeled into a beautiful piece of work called, "A Pittance of Time". Terry later recorded "A Pittance of Time" and included it on his full-length music CD, "The Power of the Dream"."

Thank you for posting that, jeddy. x

Subject: RE: Obit: World's oldest man-Henry Allingham, age 113
From: jeddy
Date: 18 Jul 09 - 03:18 PM

np probs but tbe fair, i nicked it from here somewhere.
i cant't rememeber who from so thankyou, mystery person.

everytime i watch it i get goose bumps and cry.

take care all

jade x x x x x x x

Subject: RE: Obit: World's oldest man-Henry Allingham, age 113
From: Claymore
Date: 18 Jul 09 - 03:56 PM

The last American WWI veteran, Frank Buckles, is still with us. He has an incredible story in that he enlisted at 15 from West Virginia, served as an ambulance driver, was wounded and returned to the States. He later was in the Philippines when the Japanese attacked and spent WWII in a POW camp. He currently lives a couple of miles outside of Shepherdstown WV, but when he arrives at our local VA hospital, he is treated like royalty. And since Robert Byrd is also treated there, it is indeed one of the best VA hospitals in the system. He is now 108 and still lucid.

Subject: RE: Obit: World's oldest man-Henry Allingham, age 113
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 18 Jul 09 - 04:08 PM

Taken from George's site:


Langemarck
© Copyright George Papavgeris, November 2003

"The guard never changes in Langemarck
Four figures that quiet and motionless stand
No guns, only helmets they hold in their hand
To show their respect
The Langemarck Guardians will never forget.
The guard never changes in Langemarck
Their faces in sombre expression are set
And is it just mourning or is is it regret
But they cannot speak
Their thoughts are a secret that never will leak.

It's never too busy in Langemarck
The visits from home getting fewer each year
Their faces get younger, there's hardly a tear
It seems such a shame
Only granite and metal remembers their name.
And all is in order in Langemarck
Not one of the crosses dares move out of line
And all of the names there in sequence you'll find
But isn't it strange
That even in death the roll-call hasn't changed.

There's fourty-four thousand in Langemarck
Though clever design gives a feeling of peace
Yet still you will find here no welcome release
But only the proof
That generals' dreams are the curse of the youth
As you stroll among graves in Langemarck
And even though you are the only one there
The back of your neck feels a following stare
Though they have no eyes
The look of the Guardians is colder than ice.

CHORUS:
But guilt is not buried in Langemarck
Just those born one side of the border
Who just had to follow an order
In Flanders to finish their days.
And friendships are easy in Langemarck
In one grave the sons of eight mothers
Before death unknown to each other
But friends in their final embrace."

Subject: RE: Obit: World's oldest man-Henry Allingham, age 113
From: Mrrzy
Date: 18 Jul 09 - 04:08 PM

Whenever they say The oldest man has died, I think, well, we've just changed oldest men, really.

But man, what a life...

Subject: RE: Obit: World's oldest man-Henry Allingham, age 113
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Jul 09 - 04:52 PM

I look forward to reading his autobiography. Thanks for posting this.

Subject: RE: Obit: World's oldest man-Henry Allingham, age 113
From: goatfell
Date: 18 Jul 09 - 05:16 PM

so sad

Subject: RE: Obit: World's oldest man-Henry Allingham, age 113
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 18 Jul 09 - 06:34 PM

It's just one each now for the major allies.

One British, One American, One Australian.

When they pass on WW1 will be beyond living memory.

Will the day ever come, I wonder, when this quarrelsome species can say ALL war is beyond living memory?

Not in my time, I'm afraid.

Don T.

Subject: RE: Obit: World's oldest man-Henry Allingham, age 113
From: alanabit
Date: 18 Jul 09 - 06:45 PM

That is exactly how I feel about it Don. These men are a living connection to another age. Without them, all our information is just records. I knew several veterans of that war, they are now all long gone. They were all modest, decent men like Henry Allingham. What a tragedy that so very few of them even survived to a life of normal length.