Queen Pays Tribute To Last WWI Soldier

Shar

Source Sky News

The Queen has paid tribute to Harry Patch, the last surviving British soldier to fight in the First World War, who has died at the age of 111.

Her Majesty said: "We will never forget the bravery and enormous sacrifice of his generation."

Mr Patch had been unwell for some time and passed away peacefully in his bed at the Fletcher House care home in Somerset.

Chief executive of Somerset Care, Andrew Larpent, said Mr Patch's friends and family were there when the veteran "quietly slipped away".

He added: "It was how he would have wanted it, without having to be moved to hospitals but here, peacefully with his friends and carers."

Mr Patch was the last surviving First World War veteran to have fought in the trenches.

Last week, ex-First World War serviceman Henry Allingham died and earlier this year, former serviceman Bill Stone, who fought in both world wars, passed away.

The only remaining British veteran of the First World War is now Claude Choules, 108, who lives in Perth, Australia.

Mr Choules, originally from Worcestershire, served with the Royal Navy.

Julie C · Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 8:53 am Post subject:

R.I.P. take care luv Juliexx

FlakeySugarButt · Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 1:02 pm Post subject:

RIP