Godot 149 Posted August 6, 2009 I couldn't help noticing in the BBC footage of Harry Patch's funeral that the phantom clapper was on the street. Everyone is standing in respectful silence until the phantom clapper starts and suddenly everyone is clapping. Also couldn't help noticing that the Vicar from Dad's Army was officiating. Finally I notice that one of the buglers enjoys a little circulatory flourish with his bugle. Has the Barmy Army's Billy the Bugler been taking some enforced time off from his test match duties? Just wondered. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TAFKAG 70 Posted September 12, 2009 Claude Choules interview. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maryportfuncity 10,639 Posted January 17, 2010 The Sun yesterday reported the 'discovery' of a final verified British veteran, overlooked thus far because she is female. 108 year old Florence Green was in the WRAF from 1918, including some service during wartime. Never got out of Norfolk on active service, but a vet is a vet, or summat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
football_fan 42 Posted January 31, 2010 Frank Buckles - Last U.S. veteran of World War I turns 109 Washington (CNN) -- The last surviving U.S. veteran of World War I, former Cpl. Frank Buckles, turns 109 on Monday and is still hoping for a national memorial in Washington for his comrades. Buckles is expected to deliver remarks during a quiet celebration Monday afternoon at his home in Charles Town, West Virginia Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Whitehouse 872 Posted January 31, 2010 (edited) Still not dead. Edited February 2, 2010 by Magere Hein Post moved -- MH Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Canadian Paul 97 Posted February 19, 2010 The final Canadian veteran, John Babcock, has died. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ageless Immortal Giant 2 Posted February 19, 2010 So am I right in thinking the podium positions are to be filled by Babcock, Choules and Buckles, with the latter a marginal favourite for gold? I've just read the whole thread, fascinating stuff and quite an education. Claude Choules is the only surviving veteran to have seen active service. Surely that qualifies him as the only real veteran of the war. I know that there are official guidelines and whatnot, but if they didn't do anything...should they be counted? I think that Patch was the last veteran in the real sense of the word given that he actually fought in the trenches. Choules, for example, explained his war as boring. Coudn't agree more. It's good that the BBC and Sky are reporting him as the last veteran. Although Choules did put his life at risk, but not to the extent that Patch did. John Babcock will be the last out of the three though. His health is amazing for his age whereas Buckles and Choules look like garden vegetables ready to boil in the soup..... Also it'd be something of an anti-climax if the last 'veteran' living was Florence Green, a waitress. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Falkekopf 50 Posted February 19, 2010 The final Canadian veteran, John Babcock, has died. UK obit Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weasel 2 Posted March 23, 2010 Babcock beat 'em to the punch! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ulitzer95 12,576 Posted July 5, 2010 The last unverified British veteran, Douglas Terrey has died aged 107. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weasel 2 Posted July 5, 2010 So this leaves: Florence Green, Claude Choules, and Frank Buckles as the last 3 living. Right??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ulitzer95 12,576 Posted July 5, 2010 So this leaves: Florence Green, Claude Choules, and Frank Buckles as the last 3 living. Right??? Yesss and Jozef Kowalski of Poland as an "era" veteran if you want to include him... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TAFKAG 70 Posted November 11, 2010 Claude Choules isn't marking Armistice Day, and no real news on Frank Buckles or Florence Green other than that they're still with us. It's too bad that none of them, if they're alive, will be 111 at 11:11 on 11/11/11. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Lost in orbit Posted November 17, 2010 CNN reports "Buckles has been in declining health over the past few months, according to his family." http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/11/11/wwi.veterans.memorial Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weasel 2 Posted December 23, 2010 Buckles is one tough dude. http://www.takepart.com/news/2010/11/10/10...teran-in-the-us Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Boxing Day Sherry Abuser Posted December 30, 2010 The family of Frank Buckles, the nation's lone living veteran of World War I, hopes he makes it to his 110th birthday about a month from now, despite troubling signs he is on the decline. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Guest Posted February 28, 2011 Frank Buckles is dead at 110 http://edition.cnn.com/2011/US/02/27/wwi.veteran.death/ Just 2 left then! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VSBfromH 74 Posted March 2, 2011 Claude Choules makes plans for his 110th birthday tomorrow. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Guest Posted March 2, 2011 Claude Choules makes plans for his 110th birthday tomorrow. Now that Franks gone I suspect that Claude Scholes wont last too long.harry PaTCH DIED a week after henry Allingham.They dont like being left behind... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Guest Posted March 2, 2011 Claude Choules makes plans for his 110th birthday tomorrow. Its bound to be past midnight in Australia by now so lets all wish Claude a very happy 110th birthday. Odds are it wil be the last ever bi rthday o f a world war one veteran so let's make the most of it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maryportfuncity 10,639 Posted March 2, 2011 Yeah Claude, hope 110 is a gas (arf!) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Guest Posted March 2, 2011 Aye, it mentions the eight survivors but only names one. D'ya think if I wrote the memorial trust a nice letter along the lines of Dear Sir, I am a deadpooler currently enjoying good performance with a theme team of WW1 vets, however I will be unable to name ten of them next year to repeat the feat, would you kindly furnish me with names of the surviving UK IB members...... The one person they do mention,Sam Lesser, died last october. I wonder how many of the 8 are still around... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Guest Posted March 2, 2011 according to wikipedia the 8 has been reduuced to just 2 british survivors.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_survi...anish_Civil_War Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weasel 2 Posted March 3, 2011 R.I.P Mr. Buckles......... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weasel 2 Posted March 8, 2011 In order for Frank Buckles to lie in state in the nation's capitol it must be approved in Congress. This sucks out loud!!!!! Obama should step up and order this to be done, not only for the sake of Mr. Buckles but also in respect for the other Americans who gave their lives - or time - in service during the Great War! There will be no other WWI veterans left to honor in this way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites