World War One veterans

[johnlambert]

There are still a few veterans from the first world war alive in Britain.

When the last one dies, should he be given a state funeral?

[jno]

apparently there's no conclusive list of veterans, and occasionally previously unknown veterans have been discovered. The government's doubtful about having a state funeral for the last then finding that more are still alvie.

[gary baldy]

Yes.

[jno]

also, the veterans themselves are apparently not much delighted by people asking them if they want a state funeral, as you might imagine. How are we honouring them by reminding them soon they'll be dead?

[Dolly1308]

The last veteran from WW1 in Australia received a State Funeral ,I suppose when one reaches 100 or more you already know you going to go in the not too distant future so it might be pleasant to thimk one is going out in style and being honoured .

[WaldoMcFroog]

Perhaps it would be more appropriate for the sacrifice of all those who served to be recognised in some sort of ceremony/service rather than conferring the honour on an individual, who has been selected on the dubious basis of having died last, rather than because their service record was somehow laudable.

[jennille]

I also think that there are many veterans of British origin who may have spent many decades living abroard.

[rojash]

Why would someone who SURVIVED the war get a state funeral, when all those who DIED in it didn't?

[kempie]

Perhaps we should care more for people while they are alive rather than post mortem.

[bernardo]

No.

(1) A State Funeral is an extremely special honour which should only be given to the most exceptional people for what they have achieved in life, not merely for having a longer life than most other people.

(2) The last one would probably not want one when all the millions of others didn't get one.

(3) The last few hundred veterans of WW1 (those who have died since 1990, and who lived into their 90s and 100s) have increasingly become (in some cases) uneasy or embarrassed or flattered or bemused by the increasing media attention that they have received in the last few years. Most veterans see themselves as simply having done a job, or their duty, as was required and normal at that time.

[ianess]

Can't speak for any country other than Scotland but the last WW1 veteran has recently died at 109 years of age.
Mixed feelings all round over State Funerals but we should do our best to remember all those who died in all conflicts worldwide believing that their God was on their side.
No doubt the historians will have a field day, but in the final analysis was it really worth the cost?
Click here for details.

[bernardo]

Alfred Anderson was only the last WW1 veteran from Scotland, not the UK. According to the book "Britain's Last Tommies" (published August 2005) which I got for Christmas, the introduction lists 6 surviving veterans who served on the western front (of whom 2 have died since the book was published), as well as 3 navy veterans, 1 Merchant navy, and 5 who were in uniform but did not get to serve abroad. The last 6 veterans who served on the Western Front are:

Henry Allingham 6.6.1896
Alfred Anderson 25.6.1896 to 21.11.2005
Harold Lawton 27.7.1899 to 24.12.2005
Harry Patch 17.6.1898
George Rice 18.6.1897
William Young 4.1.1900

[El D]

I think perhaps a better way to do it would be by having a huge memorial service on either the 100th anniversary of the beginning or end of WW1and a state funeral for the unknown soldier.

[Peter Eran]

Hello,my name is peter eran and i was part or the big red one. I have come to talk about the WWI comrades

[Peter Eran]

hello, my name is peter eran and i was a private in fox company in the tragic big red one.

[Peter Eran]

hello, my name is peter eran and i am a d-day veteran fox company 4th. Their are about 4 WWI veterans left chaps. God rest them. why so curious youngens?