Henry Allingham…

There are now just four known living WWI veterans: two British, one Canadian, and one American:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_last_surviving_World_War_I_veterans_by_country

It turns out that while Henry Allingham was a mechanic, not a pilot, the Canadian veteran is a pilot! Probably the oldest… but surely not the first pilot.

Who is the first living pilot? And who is the oldest current holder of a pilot medical?

How many Great War veterans remain in the whole world?

There are now just four known living WWI veterans: two British, one Canadian, and one American:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_last_surviving_World_War_I_veterans_by_country

He was the oldest man, and therefore naturally the oldest pilot.

There are 2 surviving WWI veterans in Britain, neither of whom is a pilot. How many Great War veterans remain in the whole world?

Who is the eldest surviving pilot now?

Except he wasn’t actually a pilot was he?

Henry Allingham and Harry Patch are just ordinary men who found themselves caught up in extraordinary events. Their significance today is not only that they survived the Great War but that they are among the last representatives of their generation. Neither courted their ‘fame’ and I suspect both were somewhat overwhelmed with the attention. Attention that should have been accorded to all those who returned form the Great War to a hopefully better life.

As the last few survivors of that terrible war slip away, the very least a grateful Nation can do is to ensure that all those who served as well as those who died are remembered. From talking to veterans of later wars, I think that’s all they would want.

Some of us have been lucky and been priveleged to meet some of those who fought the Great War. For me, it came too early in my life and I was too young to understand the significance of the medals pinned to the old man’s waistcoat, and was too afraid of my Grandfather who smelled of linament and grumbled at the annoying little brat who always wanted to see the prized Princess Mary Christmas tin and the Pip, Squeak and Wilfred of that Old Contemptible.

As for Henry? I hope he finds his rest. He’s certainly earned it.

Regards,

kev35

He was the oldest man, and therefore naturally the oldest pilot.

There are 2 surviving WWI veterans in Britain, neither of whom is a pilot. How many Great War veterans remain in the whole world?

Who is the eldest surviving pilot now?

Rest easy, Henry. This country will never see the like of your generation again, and we will be the poorer for it.

A truly remarkable man.

More information on his flying career at www.biggles-biplane.com

Just a pity we didn’t get the BE replica flying in time for him

RIP

Blue Skies Sir, your with the other heroes now

I count myself as being most fortunate to have been present in his company at the occasion of his 112th birthday last year at RAF Cranwell. A truly amazing man who has done so much to remind us that we should not forget.

Says it all about his character:

On his visit to the Somme in 2006 he was asked how he wanted to be remembered. “I don’t” he said, “I want to be forgotten. Remember the others.”

His efforts to stand while laying his wreath at the Cenotaph last year was the most humbling thing I’ve ever seen and reduced me to tears.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAunz4namBs

RIP Henry

Peter

Henry, I salute you. May you rest in peace.

Fieldhawk. Ex RAF, and proud of it.

Very sad news. His passing brings home that the great war is almost only found in history books.

Very sad,what a grand chap he was

BV

Very sad, but what an amazing life. RIP.