Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
#1
Who?
British born Claude Stanley Choules the last combat veteran of World War One died in Australia aged 110.
There is only one WW1 veteran left now, Florence Green — who served in a non-combat role as a mess-waitress.
We are a lot poorer now as that generation who gave so much for our freedom fades away....
RIP Claude
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#2
yes sad news indeed,but did have the privalige of shaking henry alinghams hand at talbot house [poperinge belguim] a few years ago.
Guest 710- Registered: 28 Feb 2011
- Posts: 6,950
#3
This is hardly sad news. WWI began in 1914 and here we are in 2011 and that war has not yet claimed it's last.
I doubt though that these last few deaths of people in their hundred-plus years will bring the average age of the fallen much past the mid-twenties.
That is sad.
Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
Guest 683- Registered: 11 Feb 2009
- Posts: 1,052
#4
It was interesting to me that both he and Harry Patch detested war and saw no benefit from it. Harry Patch said "No war is worth it. No war is worth the loss of a couple of lives let alone thousands".
Will we ever learn and so truly honour their memories?
Guest 644- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,214
#5
Farewell Claude, World War One has almost slipped from living memory.
I've been watching BBCs 1964 series 'The Great War' recently. Do watch it if you ever get the chance. It's every bit as compelling a production as 'The World At War' which drew much of its presentational style from the earlier series. It's fascinating to listen to the veterans being interviewed, tales sadly, that we will never hear first hand again.
#6
RIP Claude. There are some things we should remember and honour. When I was clearing out some of my Mothers things recently I happened upon my Great Uncles watch, received for some honour in The Great War. I also found his and my Great Aunts birth certificates, wedding certificates and various war coupons and books. I just sat, holding them for a while, awed by the living history we so soon forget or trivialise.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#7
I saw some TV reports about him - a wonderful old chap, who had done so much.
He said in an interview that he had had a very enjoyable and interesting life and wouldn't change anything at all - how many of us can honestly say that ?
Roger
Guest 650- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 542
#8
Perhaps the most moving thing he has said is that if he had his life again he would do it all exactly the same. Such a tribute to himand to his family, and such a tribute too in memory of all those who had very little life at all.
We owe it to those who did not come back, or whose lives were shattered forever, to be thankful for what we have, and to live our lives to the most fulfilled.
I hope he rests in peace, and I am glad that he, and many others, could go on to be happy in their time here, in the world for which they stood strong to gain.
#9
I think that in honouring him, we continue to honour those who sadly fell at such a young age. We should remember.
#10
I couldn't agree more, Diana.
