Henry Allingham
Henry Allingham | |
---|---|
First World War
| |
Awards | Victory Medal Gold Medal of Saint-Omer |
Spouse(s) |
Dorothy Cator
(m. 1918; died 1970) |
Children | 2 |
Other work | Ford Motor Company |
Henry William Allingham (6 June 1896 – 18 July 2009) was an English
Allingham was the oldest-ever surviving member of any of the
Early life
Allingham was born on 6 June 1896 in
First World War
Allingham wanted to join the war effort in August 1914 as a despatch rider, but his critically ill mother managed to persuade him to stay at home and look after her. However, after his mother died in 1915, aged 42,[17] Allingham enlisted with the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). He became formally rated as an Air Mechanic Second Class on 21 September 1915, and was posted to Chingford before completing his training at Sheerness, Kent. His RNAS serial number was RNAS F8317.[6]
After graduation, Allingham was posted to the RNAS Air Station at
Allingham also worked in Bacton, Norfolk, further up the coast, where night-flying was conducted[6] and was later involved in supporting anti-submarine patrols. A typical patrol would last two or three days and would involve hoisting a seaplane in and out of the water by means of a deck-mounted derrick.[6]
During the preparations for the
In September 1917, Allingham, by then an
He transferred to the Royal Air Force when the RNAS and the RFC were merged on 1 April 1918. The creation of the Royal Air Force did not initially have a big impact on Allingham and he later remarked that at that time he still considered himself a navy man.[21] In the RAF he was ranked as a Rigger Aero, Aircraft Mechanic Second Class and was given a new service number: 208317. Allingham returned to the Home Establishment in February 1919 and was formally discharged to the RAF Reserve on 16 April 1919.[6] During the last few years of his life Allingham was recognized as the last surviving founding member of the RAF. Speaking with Dennis Goodwin of the First World War Veterans' Association, Allingham said, "It is a shock as well as a privilege to think that I am the only man alive from that original reorganisation when the RAF was formed."[21]
Inter-war years
Career
In addition to his military service as a mechanic, Allingham spent the vast majority of his professional life as an engineer. His employers included Thorns Car Body Makers, Vickers General Motors and H.J.M. Car Body Builders.[22] He started his longest stretch of employment in 1934 designing new car bodies for the Ford Motor Company at their Dagenham plant[23] which had opened only a few years previously in 1931.[24]
Family life
Allingham met Dorothy Cator in
At the time of his death Allingham believed that Betty had died. He had lost touch with her in the 1970s following a family rift after the death of his wife in 1971; however she was still alive aged 88 when her father died, and living in Stroud, Gloucestershire. In addition to Betty, at the time of his death Allingham had: 7 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, 14 great-great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-great-grandchild.[28][29]
Second World War
During the
Later life
After the Second World War Allingham continued to work for Ford until he retired in 1961.
A ceremony at
As the last surviving member of the RNAS, and the last living founding member of the RAF, Allingham was an honoured guest when the British Air Services Memorial was unveiled at Saint-Omer on 11 September 2004. During the ceremony, Allingham was given the Gold Medal of Saint-Omer, which marked the award of the Freedom of the Town.[33] The group of RAF technical trainees that joined him at this ceremony continued to visit Allingham at his retirement home in Eastbourne.
In November 2005, Allingham accepted an invitation from the International Holographic Portrait Archive to have his holographic portrait taken. His image was recorded for posterity in December 2005. At the same time, an exhibition was being planned for London's floating naval museum on board HMS Belfast, entitled the Ghosts of Jutland. A copy of this portrait was donated to the museum and the Duchess of Gloucester unveiled the portrait to mark the opening of the exhibition.[20]
Allingham was awarded the freedom of his home town of Eastbourne by the mayor on 21 April 2006.[34] He lived in his own home until May 2006 when, one month before his 110th birthday and with failing eyesight, he moved to Blind Veterans UK (formally known as St Dunstan's), a charity for blind ex-service personnel, at Ovingdean, near Brighton. Aside from his poor eyesight, he was reportedly in good health.
Allingham attended the 1 July 2006 commemorations at the
On 18 April 2007 Allingham visited
On his 111th birthday in June 2007, a Royal Marines band played to Allingham on board HMS Victory before he returned with friends and relatives to the Queen's Hotel on the Portsmouth seafront for afternoon tea. Asked how it felt, Allingham replied, "I'm pleased to be seeing another tomorrow. It's just the same as it was as at any age, it's no different. I'm happy to be alive and I'm looking forward to the celebrations. I never imagined I'd get to 111."[36]
On 1 April 2008, the 90th anniversary of the establishment of the Royal Air Force, Allingham was a guest of honour at the celebratory events at RAF Odiham in Hampshire. By then, Allingham was the only surviving founder member of the RAF.[37]
Allingham celebrated his 112th birthday with members of his family at
On 23 September 2008, Allingham launched a book about his life, co-written by Denis Goodwin, with an event at the
He said he was only able to spend six weeks with his local group as a boy. flying overhead while he was sitting outside in his wheelchair.
in 2009 the artist Dan Llywelyn Hall sat with Allingham at St Dunstan’s for a portrait. The painting entitled ‘The Last Volunteer’ which was exhibited in London in the year of Allingham’s passing. [43]
When asked the secret of his long life, Allingham said, "I don't know, but I would say, be as good as you possibly can."[29]
Oldest living man
Allingham credited "cigarettes, whisky and wild, wild women – and a good sense of humour" for his longevity.[28]
Allingham was the oldest living man in England for several years. Official recognition by Guinness World Records came in January 2007.[44] On 8 February 2007, when 110-year-old Antonio Pierro died, Allingham became the oldest known living veteran of the First World War, and the third-oldest living man in the world.
Allingham overtook George Frederick Ives as the longest-lived member of the British Armed Forces on 2 November 2007. He was therefore the longest-lived British First World War veteran to date.[45]
Following the death of
He was also the first ever British man to reach the verified age of 113.
On 18 July 2009, Allingham died of natural causes aged 113 years and 42 days.[49]
As the number of First World War veterans dwindled, calls grew to give the last remaining veteran a
In Harry Patch's book The Last Fighting Tommy, the author claims that Allingham planned to leave his body to medical science.[54] In his own book, Kitchener's Last Volunteer, Allingham confirmed that he was intending to leave his body to medical science.[55] However he was persuaded by Denis Goodwin to change his mind, as he became a symbol of World War I to remind people of the sacrifices made during the conflict. To that end, he agreed to a funeral and cremation.[53]
Awards
One of the generation who sacrificed so much for us all.
–
War medals and awards
Allingham was awarded four medals, two of which were medals from the First World War. The Gold Medal of Saint-Omer was awarded to Allingham on 11 September 2004 when he was given the Freedom of the Town of Saint-Omer.
Honorary awards
As well as the above-mentioned decorations, Allingham won several awards and honorary memberships. Examples include the Pride of Britain award,[7] and a position as an honorary member of the Fleet Air Arm Association.[8]
Although not formally qualified he was recognised by the
Allingham had the following to say about the award:
Since entering the engineering profession I always hoped to become a chartered engineer, but when I was younger we just couldn't afford it. It's something I never thought would happen for me, so to receive this honorary certificate from IMechE is a lifetime's goal finally realised. I am very grateful to the Institution for presenting me with the award.[59]
This was followed on 22 May 2009 with the award of an honorary doctorate in engineering at the
Death and funeral
Allingham died of natural causes[62] in his sleep at 3:10 am on 18 July 2009 at his care home, Blind Veterans UK centre in Ovingdean near Brighton, aged 113 years and 42 days. After his death, Walter Breuning succeeded him as the world's oldest man.[49][63][64]
Allingham's funeral took place at
The BBC commissioned
See also
- List of British supercentenarians
- Women's Royal Air Force
- List of the oldest people by country
- List of the verified oldest people
- List of last surviving World War I veterans
References
Notes
- ^ "Hero Henry Allingham "honoured" to be given freedom of Brighton and Hove". The Argus (Brighton). 30 April 2009. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
- ^ "Britain's oldest war veterans meet Service chiefs at the Ministry of Defence". Ministry of Defence. 11 July 2007. Archived from the original on 26 September 2007.
- ^ "Brew for the Few Launch". Royal Air Forces Association. 17 September 2007. Archived from the original on 4 December 2008.
- ^ a b "War veteran launches Poppy Day scratchcard". The Daily Telegraph. London. 16 October 2003. Archived from the original on 15 October 2007. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
- ^ a b "Britain's oldest man – 111 today". 6 June 2007. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "British Air Services Memorial St Omer". Royal Air Force. 20 August 2004. Archived from the original on 6 August 2009. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
- ^ a b c "Pride of Britain is awarded to Henry Allingham". St Dunstan's. Archived from the original on 1 December 2007.
- ^ a b "World War I veterans receives new honour". BBC. 6 October 2005. Archived from the original on 8 October 2007. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
- ^ a b "Henry Allingham: Last surviving Navy veteran of the Great War who lived to become the world's oldest man". The Independent. London. 20 July 2009. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
- ^ See General Register Office indices for the quarter ending September 1899, "Index entry for death of Allingham, Henry Thomas—Hackney Volume 1b Page 316". FreeBMD. FreeBMD/Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 14 March 2010.
- ^ Piece details RG 13/1623—General Register Office: 1901 Census Returns—Registration Sub-District: Walthamstow—Civil Parish, Township or Place: Walthamstow (part), The Catalogue, The National Archives. Images of census pages available by subscription from various sources as RG13 Piece 1623 Folio 104 Page 8
- ^ See General Register Office indices for quarter ending December 1905, "Index entry for marriage of Higgs, Hubert George—West Ham Volume 4a Page 433". FreeBMD. FreeBMD/Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 14 March 2010."Index entry for marriage of Allingham, Amy Jane—West Ham Volume 4a Page 433". FreeBMD. FreeBMD/Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 14 March 2010.
- ^ "Maybe It's Because He Was A Londoner: Henry Allingham". londonist.com. 19 July 2009. Retrieved 20 July 2009.
- ^ Piece details RG 14/2004, General Register Office: 1911 Census Schedules, Registration Sub-District: Kennington—Civil Parish, Township or Place: Lambeth (part)—RD 25 RS 2 ED 30, The Catalogue, The National Archives. Images of census pages available by subscription on Findmypast.com as reference RG14 Piece 2004 Reference RG78PN70 RD25 SD2 ED30 SN431
- ^ Moreton, Cole (4 November 2007). "Remembrance: The old man and the boy, united by grief". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 7 December 2007. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
- ^ "110 not out Henry Allingham supports Surrey". 27 May 2007. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007.
- ^ Amy J. Higgs. General Register Office, Bethnal Green: Q/E June 1915, Volume 1c, p. 226.
- ^ "RAF's oldest hero". RAF. Archived from the original on 4 December 2008. Retrieved 11 November 2008.
- ^ Bruce, J. M. (15 November 1957). "The Sopwith Tabloid, Schneider and Baby, Part II". Flight: 766. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 17 April 2020., citing Gamble, C. F. Snowden (1928). The Story of a North Sea Air Station. London: Oxford University Press, Henry Milford. p. 126. Gamble went on to be Publicity Manager for Imperial Airways."1933 Who's Who in British Aviation: Name G". Grace's Guide. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ a b "A portrait of Henry Allingham". portraits.co.uk. December 2005. Archived from the original on 15 October 2007. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
- ^ a b Allingham and Goodwin, p. 113
- ^ Allingham and Goodwin, pp. 133–137
- ^ Allingham and Goodwin, p. 137
- ^ a b "Hackney People – Henry Allingham". London Borough of Hackney. 24 March 2009. Archived from the original on 1 May 2009. Retrieved 4 June 2009.
- ^ "The long life of Henry Allingham". The Daily Telegraph. London. 18 July 2009. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
- ^ "Air Mechanic Henry Allingham". The Daily Telegraph. London. 19 July 2009. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 21 July 2009.
- ^ Taylor, Jerome (20 June 2009). "Cigarettes, whisky, and wild, wild women". The Independent. London. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
- ^ a b "Great War veteran honoured". The Argus (Brighton). 22 April 2006. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
- ^ a b "UK's oldest man Allingham is 113". BBC News. 6 June 2009. Retrieved 20 June 2009.
- ^ "Veterans mark UK entry into WWI". BBC News. 4 August 2004. Retrieved 20 August 2009.
- ^ "Smell of death 'stays with you always'". BBC News. 13 November 2005. Retrieved 20 August 2009.
- ^ "Prince William's duty and sorrow". Princess Diana News. Archived from the original on 24 April 2010. Retrieved 20 August 2009.
- ^ Allingham and Goodwin, p. 165
- ^ "World War I veteran honoured by home town". BBC News. 21 April 2006. Archived from the original on 11 October 2007. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
- ^ "Henry Allingham Helps Launch Poppies in Eastbourne". Eastbourne Borough Council. 2 November 2006. Archived from the original on 26 September 2007.
- ^ "Aged 111, Britain's oldest birthday boy just 'pleased to see another tomorrow'". Evening Standard. 6 June 2007. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
- ^ "Founder member Henry Allingham on the RAF at 90". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2 December 2009.
- ^ "Britain's oldest man reaches 112". BBC News. 6 June 2008. Retrieved 8 June 2008.
- ^ "Oldest veteran visits Eurofighter". BBC News. 28 June 2008. Retrieved 1 July 2008.
- ^ "Oldest man writes his life story". BBC News. 23 September 2008. Retrieved 25 September 2008.
- ^ Kennedy, Maev (12 November 2008). "Last survivors of first world war salute the fallen". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
- ^ "WWI veteran now 'oldest scout'". BBC News. 18 November 2008. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
- ^ Kennedy, Maev (24 July 2009). "Portrait of first world war veteran Henry Allingham to go on display". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
- ^ "Florence Emily Baldwin takes the title as the new Oldest Woman in the UK" (PDF) (Press release). Guinness World Records. 15 February 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 December 2007.
- ^ "Henry Allingham". Living Tribute. Archived from the original on 20 April 2013. Retrieved 20 August 2009.
- ^ "Veteran is UK's oldest ever man". BBC News. 29 March 2009. Retrieved 29 March 2009.
- ^ "VERIFIED SUPERCENTENARIAN CASES – UNITED KINGDOM (As of 16 Apr. 2007)". grg.org. Archived from the original on 22 May 2019. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
- ^ "Validated Living Supercentenarians". 29 November 2007. Archived from the original on 26 November 2007. Retrieved 19 July 2009. (As of 19 July 2009, archive appears empty and current link obviously omits Allingham).
- ^ a b "Oldest WWI veteran dies aged 113". BBC News. 18 July 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
- ^ David Smith (12 November 2005). "Calls grow to grant last Great War veteran a state funeral". The Observer. London. Archived from the original on 16 October 2007. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
- ^ "Nation to commemorate passing of First World War generation". Ministry of Defence. 27 June 2006. Archived from the original on 15 August 2007.
- ^ "Last surviving officer of the Great War dies at 107". The Northern Echo. 14 April 2007. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
- ^ a b Allingham and Goodwin, p. 172
- ISBN 978-0-7475-9115-3.
- ^ Allingham and Goodwin, p. 171
- ^ "Royal tributes for oldest veteran". BBC News. 18 July 2009. Retrieved 20 December 2009.
- ^ Malvern, Jack (17 March 2009). "France honours Henry Allingham, 112, the veteran who cannot forget". The Times. London. Retrieved 16 March 2009.
- ^ "Navy medals office replaces Allingham's campaign medals". Navy News. 29 March 2005. Archived from the original on 28 August 2005.
- ^ a b Swain, Mike (19 December 2008). "First World War veteran honoured with mechanics' award". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 5 February 2009. Retrieved 4 June 2009.
- ^ "UK's oldest man awarded doctorate". BBC News. 22 May 2009. Retrieved 28 May 2009.
- ^ "Hooray for Henry the Engineer". Rye and Battle Observer. 29 May 2009. Archived from the original on 27 July 2009. Retrieved 4 June 2009.
- ^ "Henry Allingham 1896–2009". Western Front Association. 21 July 2009. Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
- ^ Sawer, Patrick (18 July 2009). "World's oldest man Henry Allingham dies". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
- ^ "St Dunstan's". St Dunstan's. Archived from the original on 22 July 2009. Retrieved 20 July 2009.
- ^ "Funeral date set for oldest man". BBC News. 21 July 2009. Retrieved 21 July 2009.
- ^ "Henry Allingham funeral details revealed". The Argus. 24 July 2009. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
- ^ "Performance Details—Non Association—Brighton, Sussex—St Nicolas of Myra Thursday, 30 July 2009". Campanophile. 30 July 2009. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
- ^ a b "Hundreds at WWI veteran's funeral". BBC News. 30 July 2009. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
- ^ Valentine Low (30 July 2009). "Estranged daughter joins veteran Henry's send-off". The Independent. London. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
- ^ "WWI veteran Henry Allingham laid to rest in Brighton". UK Ministry of Defence. 30 July 2009. Archived from the original on 4 August 2009. Retrieved 17 August 2009.
- ^ "Poems for the last of WWI". BBC. 6 August 2009. Retrieved 6 August 2009.
- ^ "A Tree To Remember Henry Allingham". Eastbourne Borough Council. 22 May 2010. Archived from the original on 28 July 2012. Retrieved 23 May 2010.
Autobiography
- Allingham, Henry; Goodwin, Denis (2008). Kitchener's Last Volunteer. ISBN 978-1-84596-416-0.
External links
- Media related to Henry Allingham at Wikimedia Commons