The Times
LONDON, England - June 6, 2008
Henry Allingham, Europe’s oldest man, and a founder member of the RAF celebrated his 112th birthday today at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire. Cadets presented him with an engraved silver star. 
A member of the Royal Air Force helps Mr Allingham, whose life has spanned three centuries, to read his birthday card after an RAF flypast in his honour. (Anna Gowthorpe/PA)
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Joanna Sugden
He was born the same year as the first modern Olympic Games when the national speed limit was 2mph and the first X-ray was taken, and today Europe’s oldest man celebrated his 112th birthday with an RAF flypast.
Henry Allingham, the oldest surviving First World War veteran, saw the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight in his honour at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire.
Mr Allingham is just one of three known UK survivors from the First World War and before setting off to the airfield today he said: “I feel on the crest of a wave. What man wouldn’t with all the good souls I have looking after me here. I’m a lucky guy. I am looking forward to a wonderful day and to seeing the family. I just hope I don’t let the side down.”
Eight of Mr Allingham’s grandchildren and great grandchildren have flown in from their homes in the US for the occasion.
The veteran, a founder member of the RAF which celebrates its 90th anniversary this year, says the prospect of another day is the secret to his longevity. “People ask me how I’ve done it, and I just say that I look forward to another tomorrow.”
The simple formula seems to have worked wonders for the man who has seen six monarchs during a life that has spanned three centuries.
Senior members of the armed forces joined Mr Allingham for a celebratory lunch including Air Vice Marshal Peter Dye and Vice Admiral Sir Adrian Johns (Second Sea Lord and commander-in-chief Naval Home Command).
Later, 40 pupils from Cranwell Primary School presented him with a birthday cake.
He now lives in St Dunstan's, a care home for blind ex-servicemen in near Brighton.
His close friend and chaperone Dennis Goodwin, also founder of the First World War Veterans’ Association, praised Mr Allingham’s strength and character.
Mr Goodwin said: “He is simply an incredible man. Each year we think that maybe this will be his last but he just seems to carry on regardless. He is an example to us all. He keeps up with all the events and functions that he is invited to. Last year we counted that he had clocked up 47 events which is quite something for a man his age. He knows what’s going on around him and enjoys the company of people.”
Mr Allingham is just one of three known UK survivors from the First World War.
The other two are ex-Royal Navy stoker Bill Stone, 107, who was born in Devon but now lives in Oxfordshire, and 109-year-old Harry Patch, who lives in Wells, Somerset, the last surviving Tommy to have served on the Western Front.
Before he left St Dunstan’s, Mr Allingham posed for pictures holding a collection of birthday cards and stole a number of kisses from staff wishing him a happy birthday.
Patrick McBride, senior staff nurse at St Dunstan’s, said: “He is amazing. He has got such a lovely personality and was singing away happily. He loves it here and is so grateful for the care he receives. With his age, he does suffer from pain but he seems to take it all in his stride and gets on with life. He calls me boy, everyone to Henry is either boy or girl. He is a pleasure to look after. Whereas a lot of people when they get elderly get quite low in mood, Henry is the opposite.”
The Government announced two years ago that the death of the last known First World War veteran would be marked by a national memorial service at Westminster Abbey. The decision was warmly welcomed by veterans and by MPs who have campaigned for a service to mark the final passing of the generation which fought in the 1914-18 conflict. It was said the service would reflect the events of November 11, 1920, when the unknown warrior was laid to rest and the Cenotaph unveiled in Whitehall.
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 last founder member of the RAF, he is also the sole survivor of the Battle of Jutland. On what lessons he learnt from the First World War, Mr Allingham has said: “Hear all, see all and say nowt.”
He has been awarded a string of accolades including the British War Medal, Victory Medal and the Legion d’honneur, France’s highest military honour.
© Copyright 2008 Times Newspapers Ltd.
