Last Saturday, Feb 4, marked the end of an era. The last surviving veteran of World War I died. She was Florence Green, who joined the Women's Royal Air Force at the age of 17, two months before the war ended.
The WRAF recruited women as drivers, mechanics, cooks and clerical workers, freeing up men for active duty service. Florence served breakfast, lunch and tea in the mess hall for two months, before armistice. Because she was a member of the armed forces during the period of the war, she counted as a veteran.
The last combat veteran was Claude Choules of the British Royal Navy, who died May 5, 2011, aged 110. The last veteran who served in the trenches was Harry Patch, who died on July 25, 2009, aged 111.
Time marches on. The world turns. Our ancestors are left behind, as we come into our primes. Soon, all too soon, we ourselves will be left behind.
Hi Ashton
ReplyDeleteIt is great to read your blog! I am not a loyal blogger but a frequenter! About wars I think no part of it should ever be glorified ! Indeed we are always free falling into future and Heros for Peace are being born ! I am back in Nepal. We will miss you when Bijay & I get together. Take care
Astha
All blessings to the souls of those who gave their lives in The Great War.
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