The 'Last Tommy' has died

[BOB COLEMAN]

and then, there were none. A world and way of life none of us knew is now gone.

[albatrosdva]

May you truly rest in Peace now, having gone through things 90 years ago that we today hardly can even imagine. God bless you. WE salute you.

[John Brandon]

Just found out about poor Harry, although he did have a very good innings. Has anyone read his book? The last Tommy. Believe me its worth the read, considering he buried the memories for nearly 80 years
R.I.P.


For The Fallen
With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;

As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.

[Paul D]

Yeah i've read it John what a great rtepresentative of his generation Harry was.

Thanks for posting For the Fallen as well.

[John Brandon]

Thanks Paul. The one below is my all time favourite poem. It was read at George Nugents grave ( The soldier I found)

It always brings a lump to my throat

Stay with me God the night is dark
The night is cold, my little spark of courage dies,
The night is long
Be with me God and make me strong.

I love a game, I love a fight
I hate the dark, I love the light
I love my child, I love my wife
I am no coward, I love life.

Life with its change of mood and shade
I want to live I’m not afraid
But me and mine are hard to part
Oh unknown God lift up my heart.

I know that death is but a door
I know what we are fighting for,
Peace for the kids, our brothers freed
A kinder world, a cleaner breed.

I’m but the man my mother bore
A simple man and nothing more
But, God of strength and gentleness
Be pleased to make me nothing less.

Help me oh God when death is near
To mock the haggard face of fear,
That when I fall, if fall I must
My soul may triumph in the dust.

When the last sod is thrown
And the last volley fired
The last battle won
And the last foe retired
The last bivouac made under the ground

Soldier sleep sound.

[Panzer 3]

Harry died with honor he didnt want any pomp and ceremony,
he will be buried with his family near where he lived in Somerset.
But there will be a ceremony for him at wells cathedral in ten days time. His wish is to give his medals to the Duke of Cornwall light Infantry museum Bodmin, There they will take pride of place as
he was one of our own in the Regt, I am honored to have served in the Light Infantry under the shadow of such men as Harry Patch.
Rest In Peace. Harry. Ex, C.Coy 7th Batt, Duke Of Cornwalls Light Infantry.

Dave.

[Stewy S]

Dave that's good to hear about his awards,a fitting place for them to go to now he's gone. Thanks for info mate. Stewy S

[Ty Revelo]

God Bless Harry Patch, and all the other soldiers of his generation.

Ty