Last WWI soldiers birthday

sniffy · 18 Jun 2006 at 14:34

Geeza

Goberpiles316 · 18 Jun 2006 at 14:40

108 well done to him, quite amazing to think of all the complaints we make about life today, most of us wouldnt survive 5 minutes in the situation that these men were placed in during WW1, shame it took another 56 million deaths during WW2 before the world gained any sense.

Dougsnake · 18 Jun 2006 at 15:19

lukechad said:
He was on a documentary along with a few other WWI heroes not that long ago. He certainly had some gruesome stories to tell.

Many happy returns to him

Ye i watched that called "the last tommy" amazing guy with amazing stories.

rare · 18 Jun 2006 at 15:25

I dont think we can even begin to imagine what it would have been like.

Thank you and happy birthday.

fuz · 18 Jun 2006 at 15:27

Amazing! My great grandfather was at the Somme in 1916 and would be around 115 now, I'll raise a glass to them today

Inquisitor · 18 Jun 2006 at 15:30

Goberpiles316 said:
108 well done to him, quite amazing to think of all the complaints we make about life today, most of us wouldnt survive 5 minutes in the situation that these men were placed in during WW1, shame it took another 56 million deaths during WW2 before the world gained any sense.

Some would argue we still haven't.

Anyway, hats off to him, happy birthday

monkeypants · 18 Jun 2006 at 16:35

Harry Patch is the coolest guy ever. Happy Birthday, sir.

robmiller · 18 Jun 2006 at 16:38

Happy belated birthday Mr Patch

Goberpiles316 said:
108 well done to him, quite amazing to think of all the complaints we make about life today, most of us wouldnt survive 5 minutes in the situation that these men were placed in during WW1, shame it took another 56 million deaths during WW2 before the world gained any sense.

And a shame that "the war to end all wars" wasn't really that

MarcLister · 18 Jun 2006 at 16:48

Happy Birthday to a legend; a man who fought for his country. Not many can say that. Thing that amazes me about his being 108 is that he is surely one of the last people in this country and perhaps the world to have lived in 3 different centuries. :eek:

Combat squirrel · 18 Jun 2006 at 16:59

Spamalot said:
WOW, (a far overly used word, but vaild in this case) legend!

I'll drink and talk english in my england shirt at the pub in the sun a free man because of people like him, thank you and happy bday.

Totally agree to that ! Thankyou Mr Harry Patch, Happy Birthday! true legend.

Creature · 18 Jun 2006 at 17:04

Happy Birthday to a true legend.

Chronos-X · 18 Jun 2006 at 17:04

Inquisitor said:
Some would argue we still haven't.

Indeed

The fact that this man was one of the few who did manage to make it back is no less relavent in today's climate. An eye for an eye will make the world blind.

4T5 · 18 Jun 2006 at 17:05

Thanks Harry and Happy Birthday.

fatiain · 18 Jun 2006 at 17:05

Ages ago when I was in my rebellious teenager stage, there was an old boy collecting for the Poppy appeal. He was wearing a Burma Star, I stopped, put all my change in his tin, shook his hand and said "thankyou".

It's old duffers like him, Harry Patch and my old man that we have to thank.

MikeTimbers · 18 Jun 2006 at 18:06

Just to be clear, he is the oldest survivor of the trenches but not of the Great War. Britain's oldest man served in the Royal Naval Air Service which joined with the Royal Flying Corp to make the RAF.

Either way,

Harry.