Surviving veterans of World War I

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The following is a list of known surviving veterans of the First World War (July 28, 1914–November 11, 1918). The total number of participating personnel is unknown, but there were an estimated nine million 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.

111-year-old British WWI veteran Henry Allingham, born June 6, 1896, is currently the oldest living verified veteran. Emiliano Mercado del Toro of Puerto Rico (August 21, 1891–January 24, 2007), who died aged 115, is the oldest authenticated veteran, from any conflict, to have ever lived.

Contents

[edit] Verified veterans of the First World War—18 veterans

[edit] Living in Australia—3 veterans

Name DOB Age Nationality Force served Notes
Choules, Claude Stanley01901-03-03 3 March 1901108BritishRoyal NavyJoined the Royal Navy in 1916; subsequently emigrated to Australia in 1920 and served with Royal Australian Navy in the Second World War.[1][2]
Lucas, Sydney (Syd)01900-09-21 21 September 1900108BritishBritish Army—1st Sherwood ForestersDid not see action because he was still in training when the war ended. Moved to Australia in 1928 and served in the Australian Army in WWII.[3]
Ross, John Campbell01899-03-11 11 March 1899110AustralianAustralian ArmyWireless operator and last Australian digger.[4]

[edit] Living in Canada—1 veteran

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State funeral approved by Canadian House of Commons

The Canadian House of Commons has approved a state funeral for the last World War I veteran to have served in the Canadian forces to die.[5] This is to honour the 600,000 Canadians that fought in that war. See also John Babcock, who is listed under veterans living in the United States.


Name DOB Age Nationality Force served Notes|
Powers, Gladys01899-05-10 10 May 1899110BritishFirstly WAAF, then WRAFServed as a barracks waitress, now lives in Abbotsford, British Columbia, and is the last known female veteran of any country.[6]

[edit] Living in France—3 veterans

The French government has approved a state funeral for the last official World War I French veteran to die.

Name DOB Age Nationality Force served Notes
Cambefort, Raymond01900-02-11 11 February 1900109FrenchFrench ArmyExcluded from French government lists as it only counts those with more than three months of combat service. Signed up on August 28, 1918.
de Cazenave, Louis01897-10-16 16 October 1897111FrenchFrench ArmyOne of the last trench veterans of WWI. Currently oldest man in France at 110.[7]
Ponticelli, Lazarre01897-12-07 7 December 1897111ItalianFrench Army, Italian ArmyBorn in Piacenza as "Lazzaro", moved to France in 1907, joined French Foreign Legion in 1914 at age 16, served in French army first and later in Italian army.[7]

[edit] Living in Germany—1 veteran

Name DOB Age Nationality Force served Notes
Künstler, Franz01900-07-24 24 July 1900108Hungary GermanAustro-Hungarian Army Lives in Niederstetten (Baden-Württemberg). Served at the Italian Front. Moved to Germany in 1946.[8]

[edit] Living in Italy—2 veterans

Name DOB Age Nationality Force served Notes
Borroni, Delfino01898-08-23 23 August 1898110ItalianItalian ArmySigned up in January 1917. Lives in Castano Primo, near Milan.[9]
Chiarello, Francesco Domenico01898-11-05 5 November 1898110ItalianItalian ArmyCalled up in 1918. Also fought in WWII. Lives in Cirò Marina, Calabria.[10]

[edit] Living in Poland—1 veteran

Name DOB Age Nationality Force served Notes
Wycech, Stanisław01902-06-29 29 June 1902106PolishPolish Military Organisation Enlisted 1917. In 1918 fought against Germans and in 1920 against Bolsheviks. Reached the rank of captain. Youngest living WWI veteran whose service has been verified. Resides in Warsaw.[11][12][13][14][15][16]

[edit] Living in Turkey—1 veteran

Name DOB Age Nationality Force served Notes
Satar, Yakup01898-03-11 11 March 1898111TurkishOttoman Army Enlisted in 1915. Taken prisoner in 1917 in Baghdad campaign by the British.[17]

[edit] Living in the UK—3 veterans

Her Majesty's Government approved on June 27, 2006 a National Memorial Service at Westminster Abbey to take place after the passing of the last known WWI veteran.[18]

Name DOB Age Nationality Force served Notes
Allingham, Henry01896-06-06 6 June 1896112BritishRNAS (later RAF)The last known survivor of the Battle of Jutland. Was granted the Freedom of Eastbourne in April 2006, and is the oldest European man[19][20]
Patch, Harry01898-06-17 17 June 1898110BritishBritish Army—Duke of Cornwall's Light InfantryLast British soldier who fought in the trenches.[21][22][23]
Stone, William (Bill)01900-09-23 23 September 1900108BritishRoyal NavyDid not see action (was still in training), but is also a WWII veteran.[24]

[edit] Living in the USA—3 veterans

Name DOB Age Nationality Force served Notes
Babcock, John F.01900-07-23 23 July 1900108CanadianCanadian ArmyCompleted basic training, but did not see action: was held back in reserves in England due to age; moved to US in 1924 and resides in Spokane, Washington[25]
Buckles, Frank Woodruff01901-02-01 1 February 1901108AmericanUnited States Army Last US veteran to finish training, and serve overseas, Resides in Charles Town, West Virginia[26][27][28]
Landis, Harry Richard01899-12-12 12 December 1899109AmericanUS ArmyDid not see action (was still in training); resides in Sun City Center, Florida[29]

[edit] World War I-era veterans—6 veterans

Listed here are those that 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 served in a related conflict.

[edit] Living in Finland—1 veteran

Name DOB Age Nationality Force Served Notes
Arvonen, Aarne Armas01897-08-04 4 August 1897111FinnishRed GuardsServed in the Finnish Civil War (1918). Currently the oldest person in Finland. In 1914 was recruited to help build fortifications in St. Petersburg, Russia[30][31]

[edit] Living in Italy—1 veteran

Name DOB Age Nationality Force Served Notes
Bisaro, Giobatta01900-10-07 7 October 1900108ItalianItalian ArmyEnlisted just after the end of the war. Lives in Dignano (Friuli, North Eastern Italy), which was until 1918 part of the Austro Hungarian Empire.[32]

[edit] Living in Poland—1 veteran

Name DOB Age Nationality Force Served Notes
Kowalski, Józef01900-02-02 2 February 1900109PolishPolish ArmyResides in Tursk, near Sulęcin, and fought against the Bolsheviks at the end of WWI.[33][34]

[edit] Living in the UK—1 veteran

Name DOB Age Nationality Force Served Notes
Taggart, Robert (Bob)01900-06-28 28 June 1900108BritishRoyal NavyEnlisted just after the end of the war. Scotland's oldest man.[35]

[edit] Living in the USA—2 veterans

Name DOB Age Nationality Force Served Notes
Matthews, Floyd 'Skipper'01903-02-03 3 February 1903106AmericanUnited States NavyResides in Florence, Alabama; enlisted a month before the Treaty of Versailles, and so was still in training [36][37]
Rex, Robley H.01901-05-04 4 May 1901108AmericanUS ArmyResides in Louisville, Kentucky; claims enlisted in 1918, but other sources cite 1919[38][39]

[edit] Unverified WWI 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. In both cases veteran status has been claimed by the men in question, but they are currently unsupported by physical evidence or independent research.

[edit] Living in the USA—2 veterans

Name DOB Age Nationality Force Served Notes
Lincoln, Jim01898-06-21 21 June 1898110AmericanUS ArmyResides in Eugene, Oregon[40]
Olin, William01904-08-28 28 August 1904104AmericanUS ArmyClaims to have enlisted at age thirteen, resides in Chicago[41]

[edit] World totals—26 veterans

  • Verified claims of World War I and World War I Era: 24
    • World War I (Veterans who joined by Armistice Day): 18
      • Allies: 16
      • Central Powers: 2
    • World War I Era: 6
  • Unverified claims: 2

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ World War I Veteran at UWA Art Show Opening. UWA Public Affairs (2006-02-08). Retrieved on 2007-05-30.
  2. ^ Booth, Gary (2002-05-13). 500 kms by bike to demolish Albany. Navy News. Retrieved on 2007-07-06.
  3. ^ Shtargot, Sasha (2005-04-21). Veteran of two armies to ride in Chevy. The Age. Retrieved on 2007-05-30.
  4. ^ Last Aussie digger to fight in WWI dies. The Age (2005-10-18). Retrieved on 2007-05-30.
  5. ^ First World War veterans don't want state funeral. CBC News (2007-01-02). Retrieved on 2007-02-05.
  6. ^ Leslie, Tricia (2006-05-09). Only getting better at 107. Abbotsford Times. Retrieved on 2007-04-10.
  7. ^ a b Hopquin, Benoît (2007-03-05). Les Ders Des Ders (French). Le Monde. Retrieved on 2007-05-30.
  8. ^ Walzenbach, Nadine (2006-09-11). Franz Künstler—oldest castle guide. Fränkische Nachrichten. Retrieved on 2007-02-12.
  9. ^ D'Adamo, Stefano (2004-11-04). At 106 Years Old, an Account of the Great War (Italian). Varesenews. Retrieved on 2007-05-21.
  10. ^ Siciliani, Patrizia (2005-11-05). The Pride of Being 107 Years Old (Italian). Retrieved on 2007-05-21.
  11. ^ STANISŁAW WYCECH (Polish). Serwis Informacyjny Urzędu Miasta i Gminy w Radzyminie. Retrieved on 2007-04-12.
  12. ^ Wyjątkowy dzień (Polish). Kombatant. Retrieved on 2007-04-12.
  13. ^ Dwieście lat niech żyje nam (Polish). Wieści Podwarszawskie. Retrieved on 2007-04-12.
  14. ^ Pogonił bolszewików (Polish). Gazeta.ie. Retrieved on 2007-04-12.
  15. ^ Kapitan Stanisław Wycech, Weteran wojny polsko-bolszewickiej 1920 roku, obchodzi 105 urodziny (Polish). Serwis Informacyjny Urzędu Miasta i Gminy w Radzyminie. Retrieved on 2007-07-01.
  16. ^ Mathieu, Frédéric, Ders Des Ders[1]
  17. ^ Yukub Satar (French). Ders Des Ders. Retrieved on 2007-07-28.
  18. ^ Nation to commemorate passing of First World War generation. Ministry of Defence (2006-06-27). Retrieved on 2007-06-09.
  19. ^ Smith, David (2006-10-29). Great War foes embrace as friends. The Observer. Retrieved on 2007-01-22.
  20. ^ Mccaffrey, Julie (2006-10-30). Old Enemies.. New Friends. Mirror.co.uk. Retrieved on 2007-01-22.
  21. ^ WWI veteran celebrates 108 years. BBC Online News (2006-10-30). Retrieved on 2007-01-22.
  22. ^ Veteran, 109, revisits WWI trench. BBC Online News (2007-07-29). Retrieved on 2007-07-29.
  23. ^ Patch, Harry; van Emden, Richard (2007). The Last Fighting Tommy. London: Bloomsbury. ISBN 978-0-7475-9115-3. 
  24. ^ Profile of William Frederick Stone. HMS Newfoundland Association. Retrieved on 2007-05-30.
  25. ^ Lest We Forget. CBC News (2006-11-06). Retrieved on 2007-05-30.
  26. ^ Oldest Living Heroes Remembered. CBS News (2006-11-11). Retrieved on 2007-01-22.
  27. ^ Duggan, Paul (2006-11-12). 105-year-old a veteran’s veteran. The News Tribune. Retrieved on 2007-01-22.
  28. ^ Dean Reynolds and Elizabeth Stuart (2006-12-02). Last WWI Veterans Get Their Due. ABC News. Retrieved on 2007-01-22.
  29. ^ Joyner, James (2007-04-03). Last Navy and Woman WWI Vets Die, Only Three Remain. Outside the Beltway. Retrieved on 2007-04-11.
  30. ^ Seppälä, Anu (1999-12-24). Arska, entering his third century and NOT “growing old gracefully”. Helsingin Sanomat. Retrieved on 2007-05-30.
  31. ^ Kauppinen, Perttu (2002-08-06). At age 105, Aarne Arvonen still knows how to enjoy life. Helsingin Sanomat. Retrieved on 2007-05-30.
  32. ^ Articoli di Giornale (2005-09-09). Retrieved on 2007-09-07.
  33. ^ Pan Józef ma 107 lat i czuje się znakomicie (Polish). Wirtualna Polska. Retrieved on 2007-03-16.
  34. ^ 02.02.2007 r.–107 urodziny Józefa Kowalskiego (Polish). Dom Pomocy Społecznej w Tursku. Retrieved on 2007-04-06.
  35. ^ Mcleod, Keith (2006-06-29). Bob the Elder. The Daily Record. Retrieved on 2007-05-30.
  36. ^ Associated Press (2007-01-03). States Oldest Veteran Recalls Navy Years. The Decatur Daily. Retrieved on 2007-05-30.
  37. ^ Jaques, Bob (2007-02-15). Happy 104th Birthday!. Hartselle Enquirer. Retrieved on 2007-05-30.
  38. ^ Stapleton, Ellen R. (2003-11-09). Ky.'s oldest veteran, 102, still devoted to service. The Enquirer. Retrieved on 2007-01-22.
  39. ^ Associated Press. WWI Vets Gallery. CNN. Retrieved on 2007-01-22.
  40. ^ Moran, Jack (2006-06-28). 108 and Counting. The Register-Guard. Retrieved on 2007-05-30.
  41. ^ World War 1 veteran ponders 102 years (2006-08-31). Retrieved on 2007-08-20.

[edit] External links

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Longevity
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War: Last surviving United States war veterans • Surviving veterans of World War I • Last surviving World War I veteran by country
See also: Gerontology • Ageing
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Lists of known WWI Veterans deaths by year
1999 (488) • 2000 (324) • 2001 (238) • 2002 (153) • 2003 (146) • 2004 (156) • 2005 (92) • 2006 (52) • 2007 (34) • 2008 (1)
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