July 27th Australian.
Anne Pow interrupted her 80th birthday party celebration to call her father, Claude Choules that he was now the last British survivor of World War I. But Choules, 108, did not seem too impressed. "Everything comes to those who wait and wait," he replied with a smile.
He sreved in the Royal Navy and now lives in Perth, Australia. Harry Patch, the last trench veteran died July 25th and his friend, veteran Henry Alligham, died the week before at age 113.
Choules served aboard the HMS Revenge and witnessed the surrender of the German Imperial Navy in 1918 and its scuttling at Scapa Flow.
He told his children that war has some moments of extreme danger, but is boring most of the time. He worked 41 years as an explosives expert and served in both World Wars. In 1926, he seconded to the Australian Navy and served in it until 1956. (Not sure what seconded means.)
He was married to Ethel from Scotland for 80 years. She lived to be 98.
He is now at the Perth Graceland Hostel and lived on his own until just a few years ago. He also was a noted dancer.
Mrs. Pow said her father was quite a fiery person in his youthful days, but has calmed down in his later life, which she says enabled him to live as long.
He was born in Pershore, England in March 1901. At age 15, in 1916, he joined the Royal Navy and served aboard the HMS Impregnible.
The only two other remaining World War I veterans are Frank Buckles, 108, from the US, and John Babcock, 109, of Canada, but living in the US. Neither saw combat in the war.
The Noblest Generation. Both of My Grandfathers Were in World War I as Well. --Cooter
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