Britain's oldest man receives French honour (From The Argus)

Britain's oldest man receives French honour

10:00pm Monday 16th March 2009 in

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Britain's oldest man has received the French Legion of Honour Medal in recognition of his role in the First World War.

Henry Allingham, 112, is one of only two surviving Great War veterans in the UK, and is the last founder member of the RAF.

Mr Allingham, who lives at St Dunstan's care home for blind ex-service personnel at Ovingdean, has been awarded the Legion d'Honneur medal at a ceremony at the French Embassy in London.

His grandson, David Gray, flew in from the US to attend the presentation of France's highest military honour.

Mr Allingham, who has five grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren, joined the Royal Naval Air Service in September 1915 before transferring to the RAF in April 1918.

As well as being the oldest Royal Navy veteran, he is also the sole survivor of the Battle of Jutland.

He has already been awarded a string of accolades including the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Speaking ahead of the ceremony, Helen Emmerson, care manager at St Dunstan's, said: “St Dunstan's would like to congratulate Henry in receiving this honour.

“Since the loss of his sight, we have had the privilege of caring for Henry at our centre for blind ex-service personnel.

“As well as possessing a great spirit of fun, he represents the last of a generation who gave a very great deal for us today.”

Harry Patch, 110, the last surviving Tommy to have served on the Western Front, was awarded the Legion d'Honneur medal by the French Ambassador, Maurice Gourdault-Montagne, at his Somerset care home last week.