Harry Patch - The Last Tommy

Post by **emanday** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 1:08 pm

I've just been watching Harry's funeral on TV from Wells Cathedral.

It wasn't till I actually saw the cortege moving through Wells that it really home...

That's it then - they've all gone.

Rest in Blessed Peace, Harry

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 1:41 pm

Hi Mary
Yes, a sad day that now the direct link with that generation is gone.

But on the bright side, at least Harry had what my family would term "a good innings" unlike so many of his comtemporaries who died so young and in truly horrid conditions. And it is great that he was able to relate many of his personal experiences of WW1 which helps to keep alive the memory of all those who fought.

Best wishes
Lesley

Ann In the UK · Post by **Ann In the UK** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 4:08 pm

It's hard to imagine that he was of the same generation as my great grandparents and their siblings who've all been dead since long before I was even born.

scooter · Post by **scooter** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 8:00 pm

Ann In the UK wrote:It's hard to imagine that he was of the same generation as my great grandparents and their siblings who've all been dead since long before I was even born.

Exactly what I was thinking! I remember seeing an old American newsreel item from the 1930's (I think) featuring veterans of the Civil War which I guess is similar to us seeing living men from WWI, though of course sadly no more.

Currie · Post by **Currie** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 5:58 am

Hello Scott,

That rang a bell. Perhaps it was the newsreel of the 1939 Atlanta premiere screening of Gone with the Wind which was attended by a number of Confederate Civil War Veterans with long white beards. The newsreel film may be on the movie DVD.

All the best,
Alan

Ann In the UK · Post by **Ann In the UK** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 7:37 am

Something similar to this?

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=29220

Ann

Currie · Post by **Currie** » Sat Aug 08, 2009 4:02 am

That’s a good one Ann. It’s from 1924. In the 1939 newsreel, if I remember correctly, the beards may have been understandably longer and whiter.

Alan

Ann In the UK · Post by **Ann In the UK** » Sat Aug 08, 2009 7:00 am

It's probably in there somewhere, Alan - just a matter of putting the right keywords in.

Fascinating footage for some family historian though.

Regards,
Ann

scooter · Post by **scooter** » Sat Aug 08, 2009 9:50 am

Yes, I think I saw one shot just before WWII, I remember it being on Ken Burns' 'American Civil War' marathon documentary. As Alan says, the beards were somewhat whiter (and longer!) Love the 1924 clip though, and of course I got totally sidetracked looking at other things on the site! :D

Ann In the UK · Post by **Ann In the UK** » Sat Aug 08, 2009 10:12 pm

and of course I got totally sidetracked looking at other things on the site!

Yep, addictive isn't it!
Ann