prometheus unbound
18-07-2009, 12:15 PM
Great war veteran Henry Allingham dies at 113
http://db2.stb01.s-msn.com/i/62/5D7F5E147FC4CCFAE7CE6D482DB77.jpg
Henry Allingham, the world’s oldest man who fought for Britain in the first world war, died today aged 113.
Tributes are being paid this morning to Mr Allingham, described by Prince Charles as ‘one of our nation’s historic treasures’.
Allingham died in his sleep at the St Dunstan's care home in Ovingdean near Brighton at 3.10am.
Last month Mr Allingham, a great-great-great grandfather, had celebrated his 113th birthday on board the HMS President surrounded by his family.
Related Links
The life and times of Henry Allingham
Britsh veteran becomes world's oldest man
He had recently been confirmed as the world’s oldest man and was one of the just three remaining serviceman of the first world war.
Born in East London in 1896 Mr Allingham served with the Royal Naval Air Service during the Great War, later transferring to the Royal Air Force, he served at Ypres and was the last survivor of the Battle of Jutland.
He’d once joked that his longevity was down to "cigarettes, whisky and wild, wild women" but would later admit that he’d taken care of himself over the years and respected his own limitations.
He was married to his late wife Dorothy for more than 50 years and had five grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, 14 great-great grandchildren and one great-great-great grandchild.
Paying tribute today Prime Minister Gordon Brown said; “"I had the privilege of meeting Henry many times. He was a tremendous character, one of the last representatives of a generation of tremendous characters.
"My thoughts are with his family as they mourn his passing but celebrate his life."
Dennis Goodwin, from the First World War Veterans’ Association who was a regular visitor to Mr Allingham at St Dunstan’s, said he'd lost an “an exceptionally good friend”.
He added: “He left quite a legacy to the nation of memories of what it was like to have been in the First World War.”
For more.....................http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6718837.ece
http://db2.stb01.s-msn.com/i/62/5D7F5E147FC4CCFAE7CE6D482DB77.jpg
Henry Allingham, the world’s oldest man who fought for Britain in the first world war, died today aged 113.
Tributes are being paid this morning to Mr Allingham, described by Prince Charles as ‘one of our nation’s historic treasures’.
Allingham died in his sleep at the St Dunstan's care home in Ovingdean near Brighton at 3.10am.
Last month Mr Allingham, a great-great-great grandfather, had celebrated his 113th birthday on board the HMS President surrounded by his family.
Related Links
The life and times of Henry Allingham
Britsh veteran becomes world's oldest man
He had recently been confirmed as the world’s oldest man and was one of the just three remaining serviceman of the first world war.
Born in East London in 1896 Mr Allingham served with the Royal Naval Air Service during the Great War, later transferring to the Royal Air Force, he served at Ypres and was the last survivor of the Battle of Jutland.
He’d once joked that his longevity was down to "cigarettes, whisky and wild, wild women" but would later admit that he’d taken care of himself over the years and respected his own limitations.
He was married to his late wife Dorothy for more than 50 years and had five grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, 14 great-great grandchildren and one great-great-great grandchild.
Paying tribute today Prime Minister Gordon Brown said; “"I had the privilege of meeting Henry many times. He was a tremendous character, one of the last representatives of a generation of tremendous characters.
"My thoughts are with his family as they mourn his passing but celebrate his life."
Dennis Goodwin, from the First World War Veterans’ Association who was a regular visitor to Mr Allingham at St Dunstan’s, said he'd lost an “an exceptionally good friend”.
He added: “He left quite a legacy to the nation of memories of what it was like to have been in the First World War.”
For more.....................http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6718837.ece