Remembrance Day is important especially as with every year that passes the percentage of people in this country who served in armed conflict decreases. I believe that there is now just one man who served in the trenches during the First World War, Harry Patch who still survives. The World War II veterans are now all in their 60s or older and so the young of today need to be reminded of those who died in order that they might live in freedom.
Incidentally, this year it is 25 years since the Falklands were retaken from the Argentinian invaders, maybe you should read this article about the many lies that have been accepted as truth about the sinking of the General Belgrano during that war and the actual truth.
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2 comments:
Harry's not the last survivor of those who served during WW1 - but he is the last who 'went over the top' from the trenches. The last I heard there were five survivors left, including Harry, but it may be down to three or four by now. IIRC, one of the others was in the Navy, another in the RNAS and transferred to the RFC, and I think another was in the army but didn't quite make it into the trenches, or something like that. A remarkable group of men from a remarkable generation.
As usual, Wikipedia turns out to be a good starting off point for (non-controversial) information:
Harry Patch
Surviving WW1 Veterans has the gen. on British veterans - 3-4 in the UK (no. 4 joined up just as the war ended), 2 who emigrated to Australia, 1 WAAF in Canada, plus sundry others from around the world.
I meant served in the trenches rather than just served, I will amend. Thanks for the links though.
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