Thought you might be interested to hear that another Great War veteran has passed away, leaving only four in the UK. This chap fought in both World Wars.
The other 4 are becoming very well-known now - because they are so few they feature in every news story about or reference to the Great War. Just look at their ages.
When they go, it will be interesting to see whether the British government remembers its promise to honour them. I wonder what they were doing at Christmas 90 years ago.
Kaiser wrote: How is it with veterans from the great war in other countries, are there any left?
Naturally the figures are likely to change at any time, but the best guess at present is:
UK - 4
Australia - 1 (non-combatant) I think the last combatant died earlier in 2006. There are various candidates for last survivor of Gallipoli, last of the western Front, and so on. One gets a mention on a very unpleasant White Supremacist website. Don't these idiots learn anything?
Canada - 3
France - 7
There were 8 registered in the USA in 2005, but we must assume that some have gone.
There are none left from New Zealand and Belgium.
Italy - 10
The Central Powers don't often get a mention, but the figure for Germany is said to be 5.
As far as they can tell, the last Turkish survivor died in 2006.
No figures are available for Russia, and I don't know of any for Austria-Hungary. I should think that the break-up of A-H makes it very difficult to keep track.
My next-door neighbour, who is nearly 80, has a photograph of her father as a Lieutenant in the Tank Corps. He looks about 19. I'll post it on the site if she'll let me.
Centurion wrote: In a recent (one day ago) BBC news broadcast it was said that three British WW1 veterans who had emigrated to Australia were still alive.
Of course. I didn't know that, but it makes perfect sense. In Canada they've presented a petition to Parliament demanding a State Funeral for the last one to go. There are three men, and a woman who served in the British Army while a Canadian citizen. I've also been told that the Newfoundlanders were technically British because it was still a colony in 1914. Not that it matters.
Yes there are only 3 left in Canada , actually one lives in the USA having moved there not long after coming home from the war. He has also politly declined a " State Funeral " None of the 3 actually saw any combat !
I am a new member...I would like to post an item...where do I go to find out how to post items? I can't find a place that tells members ..how to post. Thank you vincentd@gwi.net
