The UKs last 2 surviving veterans of the First World War.
Should their passing be marked with state funerals or other national recognition?
2007-11-10 12:30:45 · 19 answers · asked by Phil McCracken 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
maybe knighthoods while they are still alive would be nice, so they get to see how much the country loves them
2007-11-10 12:49:58 · update #1
I have been told that when the last surviving veteran dies he will receive a state funeral which i very much hope is the case. This should be fully met by the tax payer. The veteran should then receive a private family funeral for his final resting place.
I think it is the very least that should be done and if it was up to me both veterans would receive a state funeral regardless of expense.
I'm slightly miffed that they have not received an knighthood especially when pop stars and actors receive them just for entertaining which goes to show that it's all a bit of a shambles. Nothing short of the highest honour to be given personally by the Queen in their own homes if they wished is what they deserve. An annual national remembrance holiday is long long long over due in the uk.
2007-11-10 18:49:46 · answer #1 · answered by residentfowler 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Yes. It's quite poignant that our last remaining links with this horrific war died within a week of each other, and that they were both called Henry ("Harry" is a nickname). It's almost as if it was planned that way. And it's scarcely believable that both these men were alive when Victoria was on the throne, and were in their late 40s at the time that the last great war, World War II, ended. We still live in an age in which one fifth of men die before they reach 60, and reaching the age of 80 is a milestone achievement. Patch and Allingham's lives put that into perspective somewhat. Put it this way, if I was going to create a Master Race - somewhat ironic given what men like this were fighting against! - the DNA of Harry Patch and Henry Allingham would be the best possible starting point.
2016-04-03 06:28:17 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes they should receive national recognition, state funerals would be fitting.
I watched the Festival of Remembrance tonight which was held at the Royal Albert Hall in London and listening to the applause that Harry Patch received when his chair was wheeled onto the stage brought tears to my eyes.
2007-11-10 12:48:10 · answer #3 · answered by Larabeth 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Conranger you have a bad habbit of beating me to these questions. Do you sit at your computer 24/7?
Surley it is how these fine old men want to be sent off that is important. I can pretty much qurantee that it would be in the way Conranger has described above. Old soldiers are like that!
"Well, if they've written the obituary, all I can say is that I hope to live long enough that they will have to update it, and more than once! Then I can fade away. Isn't that what old soldiers are meant to do?"
Patch, Harry (p207)
Saukalan - These words are spoken by a man who has seen more and achieved more than you ever will. The words put you to shame. I very much doubt you care, however, It makes me feel much better. :-)
2007-11-11 00:33:09 · answer #4 · answered by hottotrot 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋
No, the surviving Tommies of WW-One should not receive a State Funeral. I think Harry Patch would be appalled by such a suggestion.
Saw Harry at the Royal British Legion annual Remembrance do at the Royal Albert Hall last night on TV.
The surviving Tommies just want to live our their last years in peace and to be buried with dignity by their families.
God bless them all.
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.
The National Remembrance Service at the Cenotaph in Whitehall gets under way this morning at 10.30GMT. HM Queen Elizabeth II will lead the Nation in mourning for our war dead.
GOD SAVE THE QUEEN.
2007-11-10 19:05:19 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yes...
Turkey has one veteran that is 112 or 113 years old and he is the last survivor in Turkey. Even when one of the gentlemen passed this past year, they gave him honors.
No matter which country. Those men deserve the honor their nation should bestow upon them.
2007-11-10 12:37:33 · answer #6 · answered by Yulik MahBaht 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Mr. Harry Patch has publicly stated he wants a quite dignified funeral with no special arrangements, he said he wants this because of the thousands of his comrades who were denied a proper funeral because of the war, and the many who have no known grave, HIS wishes should be respected.
2007-11-10 22:45:12 · answer #7 · answered by conranger1 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
These Grand Gentleman deserve a state funeral with full military honours, for if it wasn't for them giving their today during the Great War, we would not have our Tomorrows that we take so much for granted. God Bless them both
L/S(CIS) Andy Maltby Royal Navy Reserve
2007-11-11 04:10:34 · answer #8 · answered by nstn72k 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If you have to wait until 111 for a state funeral or knighthood I don't think it is worth bothering.
2007-11-10 18:27:40 · answer #9 · answered by brainstorm 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
well this shouldn't be an issue on the first place.
They deserve ******* millions and a decent funeral for that.
They're like a living legend to me..
I'm only 18, I still don't know the real world..
All i could say is 'we'll all get old, and a cheap casket is the last thing on our minds when we die'
2007-11-10 12:34:55 · answer #10 · answered by christian dior 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋