Second World War Survivors

[Dangermouse]

How many British veterens of the Second World War are still alive today ?

[Octavius]

Given that the average age of serving and conscripted soldiers during WW2 was about 22 or 23, I suspect that many who served and survived might still be alive today as in 2006 they would have reached an average age of about 85.

[Quizmonster]

To be a WWII veteran, one would have had to be, say, at least 18 in 1945...ie born in 1927 and thus 79 now. The place is heaving with them still!

[Tatty Rollox]

...... ATS No 230873 Second Subaltern Elizabeth Alexandra Mary is here at http://tinyurl.com/ogx36 and is still going .....

[jake-the-peg]

None of which actually answers the question.

This speech
http://www.house.gov/schakowsky/press2004a/pr5 _13_2004wwii.html

Refers to US veterans and claims a quarter of 16 million veterans were surviving in 2004 with 1,100 dying each day which probably makes it about 3 million now in the US.

a passing reference here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3944971.stm
claims 100,000 surving british veterans in 2004 so going on US figures say 75,000

[angeldraws]

@ jake - of which doesn't directly answer the question either.....unlike my answer - which doesn't even attempt to answer!! Lol

[jake-the-peg]

What were you expecting? 75,463, no wait 75,462...75,461 there goes another one!

Stop dying whilst I'm trying to count you!

:c)

PS appologies to any Veterans

[RavenD]

My grandfather died two years ago and he was the last surviving vet of his company I think,

old soldiers never die, they just fade away.

I miss you loads grandad :)

[Quizmonster]

It was for exactly that reason, Jake, that I used the vague phrase "the place is heaving with them still"! It's an unanswerable question.

[Golden Shred]

I trust that a flag bearing the Red Cross of England and St George is fluttering from your dirk, Quizy.

[Quizmonster]

Absolutely, Golden! Problem is that - tucked in my right sock as my sgian dubh is - I keep falling over the blessed thing!

[Dolly1308]

My husband is still alive and well living here in Australia,he was born in1927 in Yorkshire and served in the Army .(We migrated here in 1966 ).He'll be around for quite a while yet ,God willing .

[curlyfilm]

and i have no doubt he does dolly, i have nothing but respect for these heroes

[curlyfilm]

sorry delete does and ad will