Please sign the petition

Ber999T · 20-07-2007, 18:08

On-line petition for the last solider from WW1 to receive a State Funeral when the time comes.

Petition to: Honour the sacrifice of all who fought and died in the First World War,and all Wars by giving the last survivor a State Burial.

churchfcrules · 20-07-2007, 18:19

i have done mine, i have a great great grandad whose name is on the oak hill monument, who died in 1917, if we can give state funerals to women who just marry a royal, then why not to recognise the passing of the last of a genaration

Ber999T · 20-07-2007, 18:47

Thanks Church FC rules for the comments

Can a mod please make this a sticky for a short time

WillowTheWhisp · 20-07-2007, 18:51

I'm a little bit puzzled by this. What about all the other survivors of WWI who didn't get a state funeral? This may just be my ignorance here so please bear with me. I'm not trying to belittle anyone's sacrifice and struggle in war but who is this last survivor and how old is he by now? WWI ended in 1918. He must be well over a hundred and must have had quite a life but is there something else other than the length of his life which would indicate him deserving a state funeral any more than any other serviceman or woman?

garinda · 20-07-2007, 18:53

It's a very noble gesture. There are three surviving WWI veterans, are we sure that all three men and families would want this? If so, it's a great and fitting tribute to all those who served.

Surviving veterans of World War I - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

WillowTheWhisp · 20-07-2007, 18:58

Oh I see from the link you provided Garinda that there will be a memorial service in Westminster Abbey following the passing of the last known survivor. I presume that would be a memorial for all of the service personnel.

cashman · 20-07-2007, 19:50

Done and dusted Ber think its a fitting tribute to all the guys in WW1.

Ber999T · 20-07-2007, 23:45

Willow I'm lead to believe that there is a gent of 105 who served in WW1 also rumours of one being 111 but have not yet been able to confirm any of these ages.

WillowTheWhisp · 21-07-2007, 00:16

Did you see Garinda's link Ber? They are named on there with their ages.

Ber999T · 21-07-2007, 04:12

didn't have time to look before while at working but have just looked and seen it Chers Rindy for that help.

steeljack · 21-07-2007, 05:05

Maybe if someone in the Ministry of Defense had been up to speed there would have been a State Funeral for the last survivour of each sevice , last Sailor, last Soldier, last member of the "Flying Corps" and even the last Front Line Nurse.
You can be sure if the last Veteran was a "Hon.Lt Col" who had succeeded to seat in the House of Lords there would be a big "Do" , but lets face it , anything more than a poxy birthday card on reaching 100 yrs fom H.M. the Queen (probably written by a £5 an hour lackey) is the most a typical Brit can or should expect even with a Socialist ....opps sorry, Nu-Labour Govt.

grego · 21-07-2007, 09:41

Petition signed.

MargaretR · 21-07-2007, 10:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by steeljack

a poxy birthday card on reaching 100 yrs fom H.M. the Queen

Just as a matter of insight into these cards from the queen--When I was a visiting officer for Social Security, had the job of visiting old folks in the 2 weeks before their 100th birthday to confirm they were still alive and to make sure that they were likely to be still alive on that birthday. solely for the purpose of the issue of the telegram/card. The report was returned to HQ but I never knew who was responsible for sending the telegram/card.

Lilly · 21-07-2007, 10:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by [email protected]

When I was a visiting officer for Social Security, had the job of visiting old folks in the 2 weeks before their 100th birthday to confirm they were still alive and to make sure that they were likely to be still alive on that birthday..

So if they were looking a bit ropey and you thought they might not be here in a week or so would her Majesty then not bother sending them their card?

MargaretR · 21-07-2007, 10:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lilly

So if they were looking a bit ropey and you thought they might not be here in a week or so would her Majesty then not bother sending them their card?

LOL - no - but would need to check again with another visit nearer the date