So there I was with a handful of friends last night, having retired to a pub for a quiet couple of pints so as to give our ears a rest from the punishing but compelling onslaught of a bewildering variety of sounds and noises. Oddly, the conversation turned - I don't quite remember how - to discussion about World War 1 (possibly because I very boringly seize any chance to discuss the war when I've had a few drinkies).
I recall talking about my admiration for Harry Patch's simple but cogent denunciations of armed conflict, and how much extra weight and authority it seemed to carry coming from someone - the last one alive - who had been there, seen so much horror and futility with his own eyes, and very luckily lived to tell the tale so many decades later.
So it was rather sobering to get home around 1am and to see the news headlines.
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8 comments:
He was a special man and one we could (and still can) learn from.
Yes to all that, Deej. Definitely still can learn from, I would say.
Agreed.
You can suggest a caption for the Rowson cartoon on my blog, if you wish.
I'll come over and have a look, Merk.
And Henry Allingham died the week or two before.
There are none left now.
So you keep talking cause we mustn't forget.
xx
I was also saddened to here of Harry passing away, especially as I have recently finished reading his life story - The Last Fighting Tommy.
Absolutely, FB, you're right: though I mainly keep talking about it due to sheer fascination about the whole thing (and the opportunity to bore the hell out of my friends and anyone else sat within 20 feet).
bikerted, it's one of those books I keep thinking about getting, once I've got through my current crop of books. It will sound silly but I'll probably order it from Amazon rather than getting it from a shop, I don't want to look as though I'm buying it just because he's died. Not that it should matter anyway, it's just one of those things.
Oh dear me lest we forget that today is also yesterday.
oh dear me I feel soooo much better now.
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