Oudste WW1-veteraan (113) overleden

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Oldest WWI veteran dies aged 113

Henry Allingham, the world's oldest man and one of the last surviving World War I servicemen, has died at the age of 113, his care home has said. Mr Allingham served with the Royal Naval Air Service in WWI, later transferring to the Royal Air Force at the time of its creation. Bosses at his Brighton care home said everybody was "saddened by Henry's loss and our sympathy goes to his family".

Last month, Mr Allingham, born in 1896, became the world's oldest man.
His funeral will take place later this month at St Nicholas' Church in Brighton.
Mr Allingham, whose life has spanned three centuries and six monarchs, has five grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, 14 great-great grandchildren and one great-great-great grandchild.

He joined the Royal Navy Air Service in September 1915 and served in Ypres before transferring to the RAF in April 1918. In November last year, he took part in ceremonies to mark the 90th anniversary of the end of WWI. Speaking before events began, Mr Allingham said he couldn't forget the war even if he wanted to. "I saw too many things I would like to forget but I never will forget them, I never can forget them," he said.

Last month, the Royal Navy hosted a birthday party on HMS President in London for his family, close friends and members of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.

Dennis Goodwin, founder of the First World War Veterans' Association, paid tribute to his old friend.
"Henry was truly a gentleman - his strength of character, his purpose. He left quite a legacy to the nation of memories of what it was like to have been in WWI," he said.

Veterans minister Kevan Jones said he was "greatly saddened" to hear of Mr Allingham's death.
"For one of his age, his vigour for life was extraordinary," he said. "I was humbled to meet somebody who had led such an amazing life and we owe such a huge debt of gratitude to him and his generation."

'Great spirit'
Robert Leader, chief executive of St Dunstan's care home in Ovingdean, near Brighton, said: "He was very active right up to his final days, having recently celebrated his 113th birthday on HMS President, surrounded by family. As well as possessing a great spirit of fun, he represented the last of a generation who gave a very great deal for us. Henry made many friends among the residents and staff at St Dunstan's. He was a great character and will be missed."

Mr Allingham is survived by Harry Patch, who turned 111 last month and is now the last British survivor of WWI.

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Op zaterdag 18 juli 2009 10:40 schreef Falco het volgende:
Yvonne ging met hem nog op de foto

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