The end of an era- In Memorian Henry Allingham

This subforum is reserved for posts honoring the memory of a person who has crossed over.
Forum rules
This is a public forum, viewable by guests as well as members, and is cataloged by most search engines.

The end of an era- In Memorian Henry Allingham

Postby Corwen » 18 Jul 2009, 09:07

Image

Henry Allingham, the world's oldest man and one of the last surviving World War I servicemen, has died at the age of 113, his care home has said.

Mr Allingham served with the Royal Naval Air Service in WWI, later transferring to the Royal Air Force at the time of its creation.

Bosses at his Brighton care home said everybody was "saddened by Henry's loss and our sympathy goes to his family".

Last month, Mr Allingham, born in 1896, became the world's oldest man.

His funeral will take place later this month at St Nicholas' Church in Brighton.

Mr Allingham, whose life has spanned three centuries and six monarchs, has five grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, 14 great-great grandchildren and one great-great-great grandchild.


Henry Allingham's 113th birthday celebrations in June

He joined the Royal Navy Air Service in September 1915 and served in Ypres before transferring to the RAF in April 1918.

In November last year, he took part in ceremonies to mark the 90th anniversary of the end of WWI.

Speaking before events began, Mr Allingham said he couldn't forget the war even if he wanted to.

"I saw too many things I would like to forget but I never will forget them, I never can forget them," he said.

WORLD EVENTS SINCE 1896
1901 - Queen Victoria dies
1914 - WWI begins
1929 - The Wall Street Crash
1945 - First atomic bomb detonated
1953 - Everest climbed for the first time
1963 - President Kennedy assassinated
1969 - Neil Armstrong walks on the Moon
1977 - Death of Elvis Presley
1989 - Fall of the Berlin Wall
1990 - Nelson Mandela freed from prison after 27 years
2008 - US elects first black president


Last month, the Royal Navy hosted a birthday party on HMS President in London for his family, close friends and members of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.

Dennis Goodwin, founder of the First World War Veterans' Association, paid tribute to his old friend.

"Henry was truly a gentleman - his strength of character, his purpose. He left quite a legacy to the nation of memories of what it was like to have been in WWI," he said.

Veterans minister Kevan Jones said he was "greatly saddened" to hear of Mr Allingham's death.

"For one of his age, his vigour for life was extraordinary," he said.

"I was humbled to meet somebody who had led such an amazing life and we owe such a huge debt of gratitude to him and his generation."

'Great spirit'

Robert Leader, chief executive of St Dunstan's care home in Ovingdean, near Brighton, said: "He was very active right up to his final days, having recently celebrated his 113th birthday on HMS President, surrounded by family.

"As well as possessing a great spirit of fun, he represented the last of a generation who gave a very great deal for us.

"Henry made many friends among the residents and staff at St Dunstan's. He was a great character and will be missed."

Mr Allingham is survived by Harry Patch, who turned 111 last month and is now the last British survivor of WWI.


From the BBC website.
My Homepage, music, instrument making, articles, pilgrimage and more! http://www.ancientmusic.co.uk
My Blog: http://www.katecorwen.wordpress.com
My Twitter Account: https://twitter.com/KATEandCORWEN
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kate-Cor ... 840?ref=hl
User avatar
Corwen
 
Posts: 1720
Age: 41
Joined: 14 May 2008, 09:46
Location: East Dorset
Gender: Male

Re: The end of an era- In Memorian Henry Allingham

Postby Michael C. Page » 19 Jul 2009, 23:44

:tiphat: To a great Man. :tiphat:
Image

"If a man does not keep pace with his companions,
perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.
Let him step to the music he hears,
however measured or far away."
- Thoreau

My harp was sacrificed to the Honorable Snarg.
User avatar
Michael C. Page
OBOD Druid
 
Posts: 4614
Age: 44
Joined: 02 Feb 2007, 21:10
Location: Indiana USA ....about Tea Time.
Gender: Male

Re: The end of an era- In Memorian Henry Allingham

Postby Ade Sundog » 22 Jul 2009, 21:21

Sorry , i'm a bit late .

:candle:
:sun:

'Tis far to Avalon , but though we go our different ways, i'll see you there anon'
Roy Harper

Make Tea Not War :greenpeace:
User avatar
Ade Sundog
OBOD Ovate
 
Posts: 1631
Age: 47
Joined: 22 Jul 2007, 20:55
Location: The Floating Settee
Gender: Male


Return to In Memoriam

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests