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|{{AUS}}||[[Claude Choules|Choules, Claude Stanley]]||{{dts|link=off|format=dmy|1901|March|3}}||{{age|1901|3|3}}||[[English people|English]]||{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Royal Navy]]||Last [[seaman]]. Joined in 1916. Last witness to [[Scuttling of the German fleet in Scapa Flow|the scuttling of the fleet]]. Moved to Australia in 1926 and served with [[Royal Australian Navy]] in [[World War II|WWII]]. Lives in [[Perth, Western Australia]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/local/3830105.Veteran__107__is_last_man_to_serve_in_both_world_wars/|title=Veteran, 107, is last man to serve in both world wars|publisher=Worcester News|accessdate=2009-01-21 |last=|first=| date=2008-11-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/editions/05_13_02/story09.htm|title=500 km by bike to demolish Albany|publisher=Navy News|accessdate=2007-07-06 |last=Booth|first=Gary| date=2002-05-13}}</ref>
|{{AUS}}||[[Claude Choules|Choules, Claude Stanley]]||{{dts|link=off|format=dmy|1901|March|3}}||{{age|1901|3|3}}||[[British]]||{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Royal Navy]]||Last [[seaman]]. Joined in 1916. Last witness to [[Scuttling of the German fleet in Scapa Flow|the scuttling of the fleet]]. Moved to Australia in 1926 and served with [[Royal Australian Navy]] in [[World War II|WWII]]. Lives in [[Perth, Western Australia]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/local/3830105.Veteran__107__is_last_man_to_serve_in_both_world_wars/|title=Veteran, 107, is last man to serve in both world wars|publisher=Worcester News|accessdate=2009-01-21 |last=|first=| date=2008-11-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/editions/05_13_02/story09.htm|title=500 km by bike to demolish Albany|publisher=Navy News|accessdate=2007-07-06 |last=Booth|first=Gary| date=2002-05-13}}</ref>
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|{{AUS}}||[[John Campbell Ross|Ross, John Campbell (Jack)]]||{{dts|link=off|format=dmy|1899|March|11}}||{{age|1899|3|11}}||[[Australian people|Australian]]||{{flagicon|Australia}} [[Australian Army]] [[First Australian Imperial Force|1st AIF]]||Last Australian [[digger (soldier)|digger]]. Joined in early 1918 as wireless operator<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Last-Digger-to-fight-in-WWI-dies/2005/10/18/1129401230413.html |title=Last Aussie digger to fight in WWI dies |publisher=The Age |accessdate=2007-05-30 |last=|first=|date=2005-10-18}}</ref> but did not see action. Served in [[Volunteer Defence Corps (Australia)|Home Guard]] in WWII. Australia's oldest man. Lives in [[Bendigo, Victoria]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23358515-2,00.html |title=Oldest Digger celebrates turning 109 |publisher=news.com.au |accessdate=2008-11-06 |last=Turnbull|first=Jeff|date=2008-03-11}}</ref>
|{{AUS}}||[[John Campbell Ross|Ross, John Campbell (Jack)]]||{{dts|link=off|format=dmy|1899|March|11}}||{{age|1899|3|11}}||[[Australian people|Australian]]||{{flagicon|Australia}} [[Australian Army]] [[First Australian Imperial Force|1st AIF]]||Last Australian [[digger (soldier)|digger]]. Joined in early 1918 as wireless operator<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Last-Digger-to-fight-in-WWI-dies/2005/10/18/1129401230413.html |title=Last Aussie digger to fight in WWI dies |publisher=The Age |accessdate=2007-05-30 |last=|first=|date=2005-10-18}}</ref> but did not see action. Served in [[Volunteer Defence Corps (Australia)|Home Guard]] in WWII. Australia's oldest man. Lives in [[Bendigo, Victoria]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23358515-2,00.html |title=Oldest Digger celebrates turning 109 |publisher=news.com.au |accessdate=2008-11-06 |last=Turnbull|first=Jeff|date=2008-03-11}}</ref>
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|{{UK}}||[[Henry Allingham|Allingham, Henry William]]||{{dts|link=off|format=dmy|1896|June|6}}||{{age|1896|6|6}}||[[English people|English]]||{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} 12 Squadron [[Royal Naval Air Service|RNAS]] (later [[Royal Air Force|RAF]])||Last [[airman]]. Joined in 1915 as [[mechanic]]. Last witness to [[Battle of Jutland]]. [[List of living supercentenarians|Europe's oldest man]] and [[List of British supercentenarians|oldest ever Englishman]]. Lives in [[Brighton]], [[Sussex]].<ref name=AllinMeier>{{cite web |url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,1934438,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=11 |title=Great War foes embrace as friends |accessdate=2007-01-22 |date=2006-10-29 |first=David|last=Smith |publisher=The Observer}}</ref><ref name=AllinMeier2>{{cite web |url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/tm_headline=old-enemies---new-friends-&method=full&objectid=18012398&siteid=94762-name_page.html |title=Old Enemies.. New Friends |first=Julie|last=Mccaffrey |accessdate=2007-01-22 |date=2006-10-30 |publisher=Mirror.co.uk}}</ref>
|{{UK}}||[[Henry Allingham|Allingham, Henry William]]||{{dts|link=off|format=dmy|1896|June|6}}||{{age|1896|6|6}}||[[British]]||{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} 12 Squadron [[Royal Naval Air Service|RNAS]] (later [[Royal Air Force|RAF]])||Last [[airman]]. Joined in 1915 as [[mechanic]]. Last witness to [[Battle of Jutland]]. [[List of living supercentenarians|Europe's oldest man]] and [[List of British supercentenarians|oldest ever Englishman]]. Lives in [[Brighton]], [[Sussex]].<ref name=AllinMeier>{{cite web |url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,1934438,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=11 |title=Great War foes embrace as friends |accessdate=2007-01-22 |date=2006-10-29 |first=David|last=Smith |publisher=The Observer}}</ref><ref name=AllinMeier2>{{cite web |url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/tm_headline=old-enemies---new-friends-&method=full&objectid=18012398&siteid=94762-name_page.html |title=Old Enemies.. New Friends |first=Julie|last=Mccaffrey |accessdate=2007-01-22 |date=2006-10-30 |publisher=Mirror.co.uk}}</ref>
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|{{UK}}||[[Netherwood Hughes|Hughes, Netherwood (Ned)]]||{{dts|link=off|format=dmy|1900|6|12}}||{{age|1900|6|12}}||[[English people|English]]||{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[British Army]] 51st [[Manchester Regiment]]||Called up in mid 1918 as [[truck]] driver. Did not see action as he was still in training. Lives in [[Accrington]], [[Lancashire]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk/news/s/1054848_old_neds_still_in_top_gear_for_his_108th_milestone| title=Old Ned's still in top gear for his 108th milestone| publisher=Accrington Observer| date=2008-06-20| accessdate=2008-08-14| last=Kenyon |first=Lisa}}</ref><ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/3491093/New-First-World-War-veteran-comes-to-light-through-internet.html| title='New' First World War veteran comes to light through internet| publisher=The Telegraph| date=2008-11-20| accessdate=2008-12-01| last=Bingham| first=John}}</ref>
|{{UK}}||[[Netherwood Hughes|Hughes, Netherwood (Ned)]]||{{dts|link=off|format=dmy|1900|6|12}}||{{age|1900|6|12}}||[[British]]||{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[British Army]] 51st [[Manchester Regiment]]||Called up in mid 1918 as [[truck]] driver. Did not see action as he was still in training. Lives in [[Accrington]], [[Lancashire]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk/news/s/1054848_old_neds_still_in_top_gear_for_his_108th_milestone| title=Old Ned's still in top gear for his 108th milestone| publisher=Accrington Observer| date=2008-06-20| accessdate=2008-08-14| last=Kenyon |first=Lisa}}</ref><ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/3491093/New-First-World-War-veteran-comes-to-light-through-internet.html| title='New' First World War veteran comes to light through internet| publisher=The Telegraph| date=2008-11-20| accessdate=2008-12-01| last=Bingham| first=John}}</ref>
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|{{UK}}||[[Harry Patch|Patch, Henry John (Harry)]]||{{dts|link=off|format=dmy|1898|June|17}}||{{age|1898|6|17}}||[[English people|English]]||{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[British Army]] <br /> 7th [[Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry]]||Last veteran to serve in the [[trench warfare|trenches]] and last to be [[wounded in action]]. Called up in 1916. Last survivor of [[Battle of Passchendaele]]. Fireman in WWII. Lives in [[Wells]], [[Somerset]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/5090664.stm |title=WWI veteran celebrates 108 years|accessdate=2007-01-22|date=2006-10-30 |publisher=BBC Online News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/6921217.stm |title=Veteran, 109, revisits WWI trench|accessdate=2007-07-29|date=2007-07-29|publisher=BBC Online News}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Patch|first=Harry|coauthors =[[Richard van Emden|van Emden, Richard]]|title=The Last Fighting Tommy|publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing|Bloomsbury]]|year=2007|location=London|isbn=978-0-7475-9115-3}}</ref>
|{{UK}}||[[Harry Patch|Patch, Henry John (Harry)]]||{{dts|link=off|format=dmy|1898|June|17}}||{{age|1898|6|17}}||[[British]]||{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[British Army]] <br /> 7th [[Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry]]||Last veteran to serve in the [[trench warfare|trenches]] and last to be [[wounded in action]]. Called up in 1916. Last survivor of [[Battle of Passchendaele]]. Fireman in WWII. Lives in [[Wells]], [[Somerset]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/5090664.stm |title=WWI veteran celebrates 108 years|accessdate=2007-01-22|date=2006-10-30 |publisher=BBC Online News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/6921217.stm |title=Veteran, 109, revisits WWI trench|accessdate=2007-07-29|date=2007-07-29|publisher=BBC Online News}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Patch|first=Harry|coauthors =[[Richard van Emden|van Emden, Richard]]|title=The Last Fighting Tommy|publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing|Bloomsbury]]|year=2007|location=London|isbn=978-0-7475-9115-3}}</ref>
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|{{USA}}||[[John Babcock|Babcock, John Henry Foster (Jack)]]||{{dts|link=off|format=dmy|1900|July|23}}||{{age|1900|7|23}}||[[Canadian]]||{{flagicon|Canada|1868}} First [[146th Battalion, CEF|146th, CEF]], then Boys Battalion||Last Canadian veteran. Eligible for [[state funeral]]. Joined up in 1916. Completed training in UK but did not see action due to age. Moved to US in 1924. Lives in [[Spokane, Washington]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/remembranceday/|title=Lest We Forget|publisher=CBC News |accessdate=2007-05-30 |date=2006-11-06|first=|last=}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2008/05/09/babcock-citizen.html|title=Canada's last WW1 vet gets his citizenship back
|{{USA}}||[[John Babcock|Babcock, John Henry Foster (Jack)]]||{{dts|link=off|format=dmy|1900|July|23}}||{{age|1900|7|23}}||[[Canadian]]||{{flagicon|Canada|1868}} First [[146th Battalion, CEF|146th, CEF]], then Boys Battalion||Last Canadian veteran. Eligible for [[state funeral]]. Joined up in 1916. Completed training in UK but did not see action due to age. Moved to US in 1924. Lives in [[Spokane, Washington]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/remembranceday/|title=Lest We Forget|publisher=CBC News |accessdate=2007-05-30 |date=2006-11-06|first=|last=}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2008/05/09/babcock-citizen.html|title=Canada's last WW1 vet gets his citizenship back

Revision as of 04:25, 12 March 2009

The following is a list of known surviving veterans of World War I (WWI) (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918). The total number of participating personnel is estimated by the Encyclopaedia Britannica at 65,038,810. There were approximately 9,750,103 military casualties during the conflict.

Veterans, for this purpose, are defined as people who were members of the armed forces of one of the combatant nations up to and including the date of the Armistice. Other WWI-era veterans are listed separately. This policy may vary from the policy in actual use in some countries.

The oldest living verified WWI veteran is 112-year-old Henry Allingham, born 6 June 1896. Emiliano Mercado del Toro of Puerto Rico (21 August 1891 – 24 January 2007), who died aged 115, is the oldest authenticated veteran, from any conflict, ever to have lived. On 27 May 2008, the last Central Powers' veteran, Franz Künstler of Austria-Hungary, died at the age of 107.

Verified veterans of World War I—7 veterans

On 27 June 2006, the British Government approved a National Memorial Service at Westminster Abbey to take place after the death of the last known WWI veteran.[1] Similarly, on 21 November 2006, the Canadian House of Commons approved a state funeral for the last WWI veteran to have served in the Canadian forces to die.[2] This will now go to John Babcock should he accept it. On 19 March 2008, Frank Buckles was approved for burial at Arlington National Cemetery upon his eventual death.[3] Although John Campbell Ross is the last known Australian veteran, he did not see active service and the Australian state funeral was given for William Evan Allan on 25 October 2005.[4]

Residence Name Date of Birth Age Nationality Force served Notes
 Australia Choules, Claude Stanley 3 March 1901 123 British United Kingdom Royal Navy Last seaman. Joined in 1916. Last witness to the scuttling of the fleet. Moved to Australia in 1926 and served with Royal Australian Navy in WWII. Lives in Perth, Western Australia.[5][6]
 Australia Ross, John Campbell (Jack) 11 March 1899 125 Australian Australia Australian Army 1st AIF Last Australian digger. Joined in early 1918 as wireless operator[7] but did not see action. Served in Home Guard in WWII. Australia's oldest man. Lives in Bendigo, Victoria.[8]
 United Kingdom Allingham, Henry William 6 June 1896 128 British United Kingdom 12 Squadron RNAS (later RAF) Last airman. Joined in 1915 as mechanic. Last witness to Battle of Jutland. Europe's oldest man and oldest ever Englishman. Lives in Brighton, Sussex.[9][10]
 United Kingdom Hughes, Netherwood (Ned) 12 June 1900 124 British United Kingdom British Army 51st Manchester Regiment Called up in mid 1918 as truck driver. Did not see action as he was still in training. Lives in Accrington, Lancashire.[11][12]
 United Kingdom Patch, Henry John (Harry) 17 June 1898 126 British United Kingdom British Army
7th Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry		 Last veteran to serve in the trenches and last to be wounded in action. Called up in 1916. Last survivor of Battle of Passchendaele. Fireman in WWII. Lives in Wells, Somerset.[13][14][15]
 United States Babcock, John Henry Foster (Jack) 23 July 1900 124 Canadian Canada First 146th, CEF, then Boys Battalion Last Canadian veteran. Eligible for state funeral. Joined up in 1916. Completed training in UK but did not see action due to age. Moved to US in 1924. Lives in Spokane, Washington.[16][17]
 United States Buckles, Frank Woodruff 1 February 1901 123 American United States United States Army 1st Fort Riley Casual Detachment Last US doughboy. Eligible for burial at Arlington. Joined in 1917. Ambulance driver near Western Front. Held prisoner in WWII. Lives in Charles Town, West Virginia.[18][19]

Unverified World War I veteran claims—2 veterans

These are claims that were included in the press, but have not been verified by a government-sanctioned body or actual records located. To be a claim there must be at least a citation.

Residence Name Date of Birth Age Nationality Force served Notes
 Italy Dozzi, Carlo 25 January 1901 123 Italian Italy Italian Army Military engineers Claimed to have joined up in 1917 digging trenches and tunnels. Also served in WWII. Lives in Maniago.[20]
 United Kingdom Terrey, Douglas (Doug) 27 June 1903 121 English United Kingdom British Army Ordnance Corps Claimed to have joined up in 1917 as despatch rider. Served in Home Guard in WWII. Lives in Southampton, Hampshire.[21][22]

World War I-era veterans—3 veterans

Listed here are those who joined the armed services after the Armistice date, but before the Treaty of Versailles; or where there is debate on their join-date; or whose military service is sometimes viewed as outside the scope of WWI, but are considered WWI-era vets by the press or by their respective governments; or who served in a related conflict.

Residence Name Date of Birth Age Nationality Force served Notes
 Brazil Cardoso, Waldemar Levy 4 December 1900 123 Brazilian Brazil Brazilian Army Joined in late 1918 but did not see action. Lieutenant Colonel in WWII. Only living Brazilian field marshal. Lives in Rio de Janeiro.[23][24]
 Poland Kowalski, Józef 2 February 1900 124 Polish Poland Polish Army 22nd Regiment Ułanów Polish-Soviet War veteran. Took part in September Campaign in WWII and later held in concentration camp. Poland's oldest man. Lives in Tursk, near Sulęcin.[25][26][27][28]
 United States Rex, Robley H. 4 May 1901 123 American United States United States Army First 5th, then 28th Infantry Joined up in May 1919, he stated in December 2008 interview. U.S. Veteran records verifies he was in the army age 18+. Lives in Louisville, Kentucky.[29][30]

World totals—12 veterans

  • Verified claims of World War I and World War I Era: 10
    • World War I (Veterans who joined by Armistice Day): 7
    • World War I Era: 3
  • Unverified claims: 2

See also

References

  1. ^ "Last WWI veteran to be honoured". BBC News. 2006-06-27. Retrieved 2008-08-25.
  2. ^ "First World War veterans don't want state funeral". CBC News. 2007-01-02. Retrieved 2007-02-05.
  3. ^ "Arlington Cemetery makes historic exception for World War I veteran". Salem News. 2008-04-08. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  4. ^ "William Evan Allan: life of a boy sailor". Navy News. 2005-10-25. Retrieved 2008-08-03.
  5. ^ "Veteran, 107, is last man to serve in both world wars". Worcester News. 2008-11-08. Retrieved 2009-01-21.
  6. ^ Booth, Gary (2002-05-13). "500 km by bike to demolish Albany". Navy News. Retrieved 2007-07-06.
  7. ^ "Last Aussie digger to fight in WWI dies". The Age. 2005-10-18. Retrieved 2007-05-30.
  8. ^ Turnbull, Jeff (2008-03-11). "Oldest Digger celebrates turning 109". news.com.au. Retrieved 2008-11-06.
  9. ^ Smith, David (2006-10-29). "Great War foes embrace as friends". The Observer. Retrieved 2007-01-22.
  10. ^ Mccaffrey, Julie (2006-10-30). "Old Enemies.. New Friends". Mirror.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-01-22.
  11. ^ Kenyon, Lisa (2008-06-20). "Old Ned's still in top gear for his 108th milestone". Accrington Observer. Retrieved 2008-08-14.
  12. ^ Bingham, John (2008-11-20). "'New' First World War veteran comes to light through internet". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2008-12-01.
  13. ^ "WWI veteran celebrates 108 years". BBC Online News. 2006-10-30. Retrieved 2007-01-22.
  14. ^ "Veteran, 109, revisits WWI trench". BBC Online News. 2007-07-29. Retrieved 2007-07-29.
  15. ^ Patch, Harry (2007). The Last Fighting Tommy. London: Bloomsbury. ISBN 978-0-7475-9115-3. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ "Lest We Forget". CBC News. 2006-11-06. Retrieved 2007-05-30.
  17. ^ "Canada's last WW1 vet gets his citizenship back". CBC News. 2008-05-09.
  18. ^ "Oldest Living Heroes Remembered". CBS News. 2006-11-11. Retrieved 2007-01-22.
  19. ^ Reynolds, Dean, and Stuart, Elizabeth (2006-12-02). "Last WWI Veterans Get Their Due". ABC News. Retrieved 2007-01-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  20. ^ "Name "v3_s2ew_CONSULTAZIONE.mostra_pagina?id_pagina=373 "CARLO DOZZI" MANIAGO&hl=it&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=it" is longer than 30 chars" (in Italian). Retrieved 2009-02-24.
  21. ^ "Army remembers old soldier Doug". Southern Daily Echo. 2003-06-27. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
  22. ^ "105th birthday - Mr Douglas Terrey". Marchwood Parish Council. 2008-09-28. Retrieved 2008-11-18.
  23. ^ Lacerda Ramalho, Henrique. "Waldemar Levy Cardoso" (in Portuguese). Rivkah. Retrieved 2009-01-16.
  24. ^ Cohen, Vivianne. "Testemunhas do Seculo" (in Portuguese). Terra. Retrieved 2009-01-21.
  25. ^ "Pan Józef ma 107 lat i czuje się znakomicie" (in Polish). Wirtualna Polska. Retrieved 2007-03-16.
  26. ^ "Niech żyje 200 lat!" (in Polish). Radio Zachód S.A. Retrieved 2008-02-02.
  27. ^ "200 lat dla pana Józefa! Najstarszy Lubuszanin mieszka w Tursku" (in Polish). Gazeta Lubuska. Retrieved 2009-02-06.
  28. ^ "NAJSTARSZY LUBUSZANIN" (in Polish). Lubuski Urząd Wojewódzki. Retrieved 2009-02-06.
  29. ^ Stapleton, Ellen R. (2003-11-09). "Ky.'s oldest veteran, 102, still devoted to service". The Enquirer. Retrieved 2007-01-22.
  30. ^ Senator McConnell, Mitch (2008-05-12). "Honouring Robley Rex". Govtrack. Retrieved 2009-01-21.

Template:Lists of WWI veteran deaths

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