Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric
Just an aside: John Babcock, Canada's last surviving WWl vet turned 109 on July 23. Mr. Babcock lied about his age (he was fifteen) and joined up .... got all the way to Halifax, NS before he was found out and placed in a "boys" battallion until he reached the age of 18; he never quite made it to the front. After the war he went to the US and became a citizen; but he still has his Canadian citizenship. He was offered a state funeral by the Canadian Govt.; but he turned it down because he didn't consider himself a real veteran because he never saw action. Did the Britisha govt. consider offering Mr. Patch a state funeral? It would have been appropriate; and could have been seen as recognition for all those who fought in that conflict.
|
Harry Patch didn't want a fancy funeral. There will be a service at Wells Cathedral on August 6th and he will then be buried near his relatives in his home town.
Only 1000 tickets are available, but a big screen will be erected in the Cathedral Grounds.
Not heard anything about Harry Allingham yet.
I'll bet g. brown will try to make some political capital out of it.
Retlaw.