Many happy returns to Henry Allingham, born June 6 1896 and still going strong.
Henry is now the sole surviving former RNAS airman and founder member of the RAF. He’s one of just three surviving veterans of the Great War.
Henry joined the Royal Naval Air Service in 1915 as an aircraft mechanic and acted as an observer and gunner searching for U-boats, Zeppelins and mines over the North Sea. He’s the last person alive to have witnessed the Battle of Jutland and it is also believed that he fitted the very first reconnaissance aircraft camera during World War I.
I understand he’s celebrating with lunch today on HMS Victory and will be given a personal flypast by the RNHF Sea Fury. I’m sure you’ll agree it’s fully deserved!
By: Moggy C - 6th June 2007 at 22:54
Some photos of today here.
Excellent 🙂
I guess when he was in WW1 he would have settled for living to a third of his present age.
Moggy
By: PeterW - 6th June 2007 at 22:16
Happy Birthday!
Some photos of today here. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/6727225.stm
Peter
By: Snaps - 6th June 2007 at 19:59
Many happy returns to a wonderful gentleman.
By: Firebird - 6th June 2007 at 19:08
Amazing to think he was celebrating his 48th birthday on D-Day……:eek:
By: Phixer - 6th June 2007 at 17:36
Many happy returns to Henry Allingham, born June 6 1896 and still going strong.
He is one amazing fellow. Happy birthday Henry.
I have had the pleasure of meeting him on two occasions and he can certainly talk.:)
By: Stieglitz - 6th June 2007 at 14:14
Yes, happy birthday Henry! 🙂 Nice to spot the respect that is shown to him in form of that flypast.
Cheers,
Stieglitz
By: Manston Airport - 6th June 2007 at 13:42
Happy Birthday 111th to Henry Allingham,:eek: 😎 Just seen it on the news he had a 4 ship F3 formation flypast and a Sea Fury later.
Many happy returns
James
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June 6, 2007 at 9:25 am