Last Scottish Veteran of WW1 Dies

[voiceforveterans]

Your memory will surely last forever. The courage and bravery you shared for your country. He lived a long life and yes, with honor! Kudos!

[BombBakers]

I salute him! rest in peice!

[Whoami691]

That generation must never be forgotten, neither British, German, French and all others that served in that horrific war, These people must always be remembered. We have lost almost all links to that war, when they go, we will have lost all connection. Text cannot give a person the same context as someone who actually saw it happen could.

[soup460]

So the Christmas Day Truce WAS TRUE !!! I hoped it was since I first heard of it but I had never had any "proof"

[DKbeatlefan]

Paul Mccartney to the left?:D

[johnson1095]

Could someone put subtitles under him please?

[shtfly]

Rest in Peace Albert. You served your country well.

From an old Canadian Paratrooper

[rje888]

A true hero and gentleman

[bmxerfromarmthorpe]

r i p alfred :(

[Xbox360Oblivion1]

pour guy :(

[ele90]

Idi Amin is the only true scottish hero.

[jackobite68]

when god named the watch the devil stood at attention. up scottish

[RifledBarrel]

that's all lies...no British soldier was 'called-up'...they were all volunteers who mistakenly thought the war would be all over by Christmas...........so gettit correct bitch

[johnpindar]

Conscription was introduced in Britain in January 1916.

[thetoplap]

@RifledBarrel most of them were ''called up'' but a lot of them were volunteers

[Frag85]

These men knew a hell like we could never know. Each and everyone of them deserves their peaceful sleep!

[Twisted19881]

rip

[Sweden80Here]

Alfred Andersson ! That is a typical swedish name. Hmm strange maybe he got an scandinavian background.

[scottishlad1987]

there are a lot of andersons in scotland, the east of scotland has a lot of scandinavian ancestry and the west is more irish.

[Sweden80Here]

@scottishlad1987 Ok that's cool ! Thanks

You have alot of scandinavian `words aswell right? like the word child can also be "barn". Barn is the swedish word for child.

[scottishlad1987]

yeah, i didn't know that was swedish, i thought maybe nowegian, maybe they're the same? and quine for girl, loon for boy etc. that's all doric, a language/dialect spoken in the north east of scotland, aberdeenshire mainly.

[CenturyGamer]

I would say it is more like a dialect than a language, i would say it is only like a language for the old people who know many words and vocabulary that have been forgotten in the younger generation. Now we say words like "scooby" which are generated from childrens cartoons. Quite sad really, but i guess its like that with all the other scottish english dialects too

[Sweden80Here]

@scottishlad1987 It is the same word for child in Norway/Denmark/Sweden. Old scandinavian word i guess.

[jackychanto]

There was a programme a few years ago about the few remaining men of WW1 and I remember Mr Anderson from it. He seemed a wonderful old gentleman. What a shame that these wonderful Scottish regiments such as the Black Watch no longer remain. I say that as an Englishman. God Bless Mr Anderson - R.I.P.

[chadstur1991]

God bless Scotland, without a doubt the best soldiers in the world.

[leejohnson1234]

I find it absolutely incredible that these men have survived the atrocities of two world wars and reached such an old age; i cannot begin to imagine what it must feel like to be the last surviving man of a whole generations, which is what these few surviving world war one veterns are. The death of British veteren Harry Patch marks a sad day as it is another link with the Great War gone. R.I.P all those who have fell and those who survived and are now at peace.

[slangivar]

Oh bleedin hell i hit the wrong thumbs it was meant to be a thumbs up accept my apologies. And hopefully someone can change my mistake and click the thumbs up for me.

[usselliot76]

Bloody shame when you look at it all the wars since then are just continuations of the First world war no wonder why my granddad was so bitter

[usselliot76]

There is still one American vet...but he only served in the US was never sent overseas

[sweetypie000]

RIP & RIP Harry Patch

[MrWalters11]

foxbat3...Why not go visit these places then you may have a different opinion. EVERY soldier who was there deserves our respect.

[ThePendrag0n]

Foxbat3...your crassness and disrespect have no place here. Those Scottish Soldiers you disrespect died for your freedoms..including your freedom to make stupid remarks on this page.

[sfgman51]

is there any germen veterans left?

[wgjgoijgoeag]

...not known of any more survivors of both sides of the great war

[moremetalthanjones]

well at least theres still harry patch

[woodtothechuck]

It's wierd how he was one of the first in, and one of the last to die.

[chumulungma]

The Bulgarian army is the only army that have not lost a battle in both of the world wars

[2ndpadrummer]

my great grandfather and my great, great uncle both fought during this war for great britian. i just wish i could have met just 1 of them.........

[Stew1974]

A real hero and role model, God bless.

[Factnotfictionpeople]

Bow your heads people, for this video is about a Gentleman who deserves our gratitude.....................­...

[midianholic]

Well said Sir.

The last old contemptible.

The man is a legend.

RIP Alfred.

[dee864540]

my grandad was in the Black Watch. He was born in 1899 and lied about his age to join up aged 14! can't believe it can you. god bless

[RollandB]

He's with his pals now, not in trenches but lying in green fields :(

[Fridomfry]

Interesting. You may compare with regiments from Britanny, who had the highest casualty rate in the French army. Seems that the Celts were considered cannon fodder of the best quality. RIP, friends, and thanks forever.

PS: I didn't know the expression "the Old Contemptibles" Thanks for that.

[moominpic]

@Fridomfry Many of the celtic regiments, especially the Scottish, were used as "strike" forces as they were seen as being very good at charges. However, Robert Graves commented that they often had to retreat quickly, and it was commented that they gained ground quickly "in both directions".

[Hippophilee]

@moominpic That's manoeuvering ability! In France our celtic regiments, especially the Britons, were rather seen as stubborn units who held positions tightly and lost half of their men rather than fall back. They did that even in the 1940 debacle – in one place, the SS who had outflanked them were so angry with their resistance that they machine-gunned all prisoners. We tend to consider the Scots as being made of the same right stuff.

[moominpic]

@Hippophilee Joyeaux noel, mon ami! That is a very interesting post. Did /does France have specific regiments of Celtic origin, like Britain has the Welsh/Scottish/Irish regiments (or did until recently)?

[Hippophilee]

@moominpic Not officially since the French revolution (before, we even had Scottish and Irish regiments !). Yet in the 1900s most units still had a local recruitment and identity. For ex. the 19e division d'infanterie, based in Rennes, was nicknamed "Division Bretonne" (= the one I was alluding to in my previous post). Most Alpine troops were Savoyards, etc. Officers had their theories about the respective qualities of each region. Joyeux Noel to thee, noble thane!

[moominpic]

@Hippophilee That's interesting. Thanks for that. yes, I'd heard of the "Wild Geese" regiments from Ireland. As you may know, UK used local recruitment and regiments a lot up until recently, especially in Scotland. Now many of the old regiments, like the Black watch (mentioned in the vid) have lost their status and have been ammalgamated into single regiments.

[foxbat3gmail]

cos we were drunk on the idea of being an invincible martial race

[Readalwaysthelabel]

@PtbaScot

has a lot to do with the fact that the scots volunteered first, they were sent out first, a lot of english soldiers were then mixed in with some of the regiments. The Scots were well respected amongst the french soldiers. I doubt it had anything to do with bigotry if thats implied at all...I think every poor guy in those trenches had the same chances, some just got lucky!

[redfan45x]

Scottish in WW1 where awesome lol the Germans called them "hells ladies"

[JTAnt2]

nice

[jpd84]

Its 78.

[greeny632]

wow 109, good on the guy. Isnt the average scottish life expectancy like 63 or something ridiculous like that???

[rowland2k8]

no, its like 77

[Johindes]

God Bless Him xx

[sploggon]

This is very sad news.God bless Alfred.My Families still in possession of a cigarette tin that one of my great-uncles traded with a German soldier during the christmas truce of 1914.

[Muskelhoernchen]

In this war thea all have been heroes, fighting for their land and for what they believed!

It doesn`t matter, from where they are, what their reasons are, is important.

Rest in Peace

from Germany

[johnpindar]

Hear! Hear!

[sploggon]

I find it sad thet ive seen no germans visiting the Somme when ive been their.

[midianholic]

Well said Sir.

RIP Alfred, last of the Old Contemptibles.

[machinegun0478714950]

@Muskelhoernchen yes lestwe forget my friend we must never forget all the man and women that died

[Fridomfry]

RIP, thanks for all you have done, Sir !

From France.

[celticboyz2008]

true hero

[warspite13]

Alba gu Brath, Well Alba was the kingdom of the Picts and not the Scotti, Infact the Picts fought against the Scotti, So its not Scotland for ever.

The Word pict comes from Greece, But the Irish and Welsh called them Cruithne or in Welsh Prydyn which means "BRITONS"

SO ALBA GU BRATH MEANS BRITAIN FOR EVER BUT MODERN SCOTS DON'T KNOW YOUR ARSE FROM YOUR MOUTH. SO KEEP HATING THE ENGLISH AND THE UNION YOU THICK PRO-EUROPEAN CUNTS.

[witchhunter32]

we invented TV aswell

[Donksn]

We invented england too! we sent all the poofs down there.

[witchhunter32]

lol

[Donksn]

we also invented the usa navy and the japanese navy! so midaway was actually a clan battle.

[foxbat3gmail]

hmm arent we generally credited with the Russian navy? it doesn't have a reversed Saltire as an ensign for no reason.

[scottishlad1987]

i love the fact that scots are such good inventors. just read today that a young scot has won the european inventor of the year. we also hold the inventor of the recenly voted "best ever invention"-pencillin, which, since it was invented in the eary 20th century(i think), has saved more lives than all the wars in human history have taken. and we did invent the telephone! lol.

[foxbat3gmail]

that makes me happy as a Scottish person cos Scottish soldiers have killed so many other races something that atones for the amount of death we have sown.

[solomad68]

Rest in peace

[anonymouswashere]

doesn't matter dude.

[RoryProductions]

I am from scotland, we are not retards considering we invented the telephone, T.V. and computer. My great uncle was wounded and sent back to "Blighty" but came back (his own decision to defend the country), and killed in Rouen. he is buried at ST. Sever. My Great Grandfather was in the heavy infantry in Egypt. So Fuck u nicename. if it wasn't for us, we would all be German Nazi Fuck.

[anonymouswashere]

a canadian invented the phone numbnuts and the computer by a german.

[edinburgh96]

Sorry my friend, the telephone was invented by a Scotsman by the name of Alexander Graham Bell.

[anonymouswashere]

he was a canadian wikipedia it.

[edinburgh96]

I live in Edinburgh, Scotland and I walk past the house where Alexander Graham Bell was born at least once a week. For the record, I also looked on Wikipedia and sure enough it correctly states that he was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. Therefore, I have no idea where you have got that incorrect information. Go to wikipedia and look up "Alexander Graham Bell."

[anonymouswashere]

HE MOVED TO CANADA AT THE AGE OF 23, he was a CANADIAN citizen when he invented it.

[edinburgh96]

Regardless of whether he was a Canadian citizen, he was born in Scotland which makes him a Scotsman.

Of course Canada tried to call him one of their own....they just wanted to get in on the glory. The United States tried to do the same as well. He may have been given Canadian and American citizenship but he is a Scotsman first and foremast.

[anonymouswashere]

doesn't matter dude.

[edinburgh96]

"doesn't matter" doesn't matter

[Typhoon07]

So? He was born a Scot and will always remain as one regardless of what nationality he then became.

[Alba12349]

so what, it was thanks to his big scottish brain he invented the tv

[DopedUpMonkey]

My Great Grandfather fought with the Black Watch at The battle of Loos, I Think, And also the Battle of Cumbrai .

[vandy87peeko]

REST IN PEACE.

[Slurrps]

Rest in peace

[nicename35]

scotland are retards

[kingy1690]

you prick theres nothing wrong with the scots go get a life. by the way yank im english.

[elljay1989]

you are the retard. if the international reputation of your country is anything to go by, you probably dont even know where scotland is. youre a complete mohawk :P

[thistlewarrior]

We weren't retards when the Black Watch got sent into sort your problems out in Faluja! We weren't retards when a single company of Kings own Scottish Borderers held a bridge on the Rhine against an entire Battalion of Germans! And we weren't retards when the Gallant forty twa helped hold the German advance and allowed British troops to evacuate Dunkirk! Ya daft prick have some respect!

[edinburgh96]

Dont worry about nicename35. He's obviously got no life, no girlfriend and is extremely bored so he has to go out looking for trouble. He's a luuuuuzzzzzer!

[NickerSkids]

I stay in a small village in Scotland,we have three memorials in town with dozens of different names on each.How could this wee village cope with such losses?.....i couldn't imagine.The population 90 years later is less than 2000.

Rest in peace good man and i can only apologise that you had to live through such terrible times.

[LanzmanJan]

Rest in Peace my good man!

[houlala16]

The last french soldier of WW1 is die today 03/12/08 he was 110 years.

there s just 8 soldiers of WW1 alive today.

[kal558]

Poor bugger R.I.P

[odious34]

I believe the U.S. has one last surviving WWI vet. Germany's last survivor died about 2 months ago. God Bless these heroes and all their sacrifices.

[DALRIADAN1]

Rest in peace buddy

[alexairlie]

God rest that man.

[bigcrosby]

thay gacvr there to day so we could have our to moro

Lest we forget

[dougiefife]

I named my pet Schnauzer Alfie after the Great Alfred Anderson. My dog was born the week Mr Anderson passed away, and thought it would be a fitting tribute to the man. (Alfies Kennel club registered name is Sir Alfred of Achnacarry) - look hin up on you tube - Alfie schnauzer

[LucyStag]

I was so sad to hear of this man's passing... and many months after the fact. That's the curse of being in the USA, and interested in these amazing men and their stories.

[beefnotfish]

Perhaps if you read the papers or watched news other than Entertainment Tonight News you might be more aware of what's happened. Don't say it's the curse of the U.S... Blame it on yourself! I'd heard about it..You could have too!

[lochinvarborder]

God bless all Scots who did todays generations proud. God Bless Our Homeland Scotland and its bairns who took up the challenge and did their duty for the Scottish Nation. We must never forget, and the real Scottish History should be taught to all Scottish Bairns to make sure the names live on.Independance is coming at last and we will not be denied by anyone outside of Scotland no matter the price.

[europa220]

Ah the call of Scottish independance all the way from Australia! You hitch your pathetic campaign to the memory of a great man who talked about the British army and you have no idea if he wanted independance for Scotland. What a patriot you are.

[elli782]

Unfortunally all of the WW2 verterains will be the same, nothing to remind us of it but the movies, but no one tell tell us what it was really like, and so on thghrout other wars.

[xgavj6]

Lest we forget!!!

[Angus333McBride]

My great grandfather whas an Cameron Highlander.

He whas widness of the chrismas peace.

Honnor to the fallen, Alfred Anderson and my great grandfathher Angus McBride. Scotland the brave.

[fergiewergie]

You are a legend Alfred as are your comrades, Lest we forget

[gray707]

RIP Mr Anderson.

[hornetmun1985]

Alba Gu Bra, Rest in Peace, You've done us all a favor, by fighting for the freedom for everyone. Thank you, Just realizing, that World War One victory was just only a few days ago, November 11, America's Veteran's Day.

Nemo Me Impune Lacessit

"No One Assails Me With Impunity"

Remember that forever.

[WelshWebb]

Back in 1998, I was at a Memorial Day parade in a small Michigan town and was surprised to see eight WWI vets march by. I mused over the thought it could be the last time I would ever see men of the Great War. Sadly, I was right. Rest well, you Tommies and Doughboys. You more than earned it.

[ultradumbass]

ummm... there is still a few ww1 veterans left. we got 1 canadian veteran left alive also.

[Scotsman19]

gone but not forgotten they dnt make soldiers like they used to hard hard men no fear mon the jocks

[TrojanSkyCop]

Rest In Peace, God bless Alfred Anderson, and God bless Scotland!

[athnena9]

God bless.

[blurfist]

RIP and semper fi

[scotswahhae1984]

rip

[rssmdb]

This is heartbreaking, especially in light of what the government have done to the Black Watch.  Once again, the Black Watch being used as cannon fodder in Iraq.

[KingNordy]

That's bullshit the black watch arnt cannon fodder.

If you mean sent in first historically that was the british grenadiers.

[IForgottenHopeI]

Now only one British veteran is left. A Englishman who fought at Passchendaele. Harry Patch. Lest we forget.

[hornetmun1985]

Bless the Original Regiments

[funkeytoad08]

May God receive him and bless his soul.