Memorial Day - World War I

This video follows the main battling sectors of the Great War (the supposed "War to End All Wars"; unfortunately not the case). The sectors are: Alsace, Flanders, the Marne, and Verdun.

This video is dedicated to the veterans of World War I, no matter what side they fought for. In total, 41 million casualties would be sustained. This number breaks down to 20.7 million dead, and 20.3 million wounded. Countless machines would be destroyed, including airplanes, tanks, zeppelins, balloons, ships, submarines, and artillery emplacements.

Today, there is only one verified World War I veteran still living. She is:

-Florence Green, 110, Britain (nurse)


In 2008, a total of 12 World War I veterans died. They are:

-Raymond Cambefort, France, 107 (d. January 16th)

-Louis de Cazenave, France, 110 (d. January 20th)

-Lazare Ponticelli, France/Italy, 110 (d. March 12th)

-Erich Kästner, Germany, 107 (last German vet; d. January 1st)

-Yakup Satar, Ottoman Empire, 110 (last Ottoman vet; d. April 2nd)

-Stanisław Wycech, Poland, 105 (last Polish vet; d. January 12th)

-Harry Landis, United States, 108 (d. February 4th)

-Franz Künstler, Austro-Hungary, 107 (last Austro-Hungarian vet and the last Central Powers vet; d. May 27th)

-Francesco Chiarello, Italy, 109 (d. June 27th)

-Delfino Borroni, Italy, 110 (last Italian veteran; d. October 26th)

-Fernand Goux, France, 108 (d. November 9th)

-Sydney Lucas, Britain, 108 (d. November 4th)

-Gladys Powers, 109, Britain (d. August 15th)

-Pierre Picault, 109, France (last French veteran; d. November 20th)

In 2009, five veterans died. They are:

-William Stone, Britain, 108 (January 12th)

-Netherwood Hughes, Britain, 108 (April 4th)

-John Ross, Australia, 110 (June 3rd)

-Henry Allingham, Britain, 113 (July 18th)

-Harry Patch, Britain, 111 (July 25th)

In 2010, one veteran died. John Babcock, Canada, 109 (d. 18 February).

In 2011, two veterans died. They are:

-Frank Buckles, United States, 110 (last American veteran; d. 27 February)

-Claude Choules, Britain, 110 (last combat veteran of the war; d. May 5)

On November 11, 2008, the Great War's 90th anniversary came and went.

To World War I - The Forgotten War of History Today.

**UPDATE**
March 25, 2009

It has come to my attention that William Stone died January 12th from natural causes. His name has been removed from the list of the living.

**UPDATE**
April 4, 2009

Netherwood Hughes died at Woodlands Home for the Elderly in Clayton-le-Moors, Lancashire, England from complications due to a recent illness (listed as natural causes). He was 108.

**UPDATE**
June 3, 2009

John Ross died today in his sleep at age 110. His name has been removed from the list of the living.
On a less depressing note, Henry Allingham will be celebrating his 113th birthday this June 6th, and Harry Patch will be celebrating his 111th on June 17th.

**UPDATE**
July 18, 2009

Henry Allingham, the oldest and last RNAS veteran of the war, died just a few minutes ago. He was the last person alive who was in the Battle of Jutland as well as the last living founder of the RAF. I met Mr. Allingham in 2004 in London, and I'm quite sad to hear of his passing. Henry, we'll miss you. :''(

**UPDATE**
July 25, 2009

Harry Patch, the last veteran from Britain, died today. He was also the last living veteran who saw and participated in actual combat during the war. This has not been a good month. Bye, Harry. We'll miss you.

**UPDATE**
February 5, 2011

It has been brought to my attention that both Claude Choules and Frank Buckles are quickly deteriorating in health. Mr. Choules will likely not live past May.

**UPDATE**
February 28, 2011

Frank Buckles, the last United States veteran of the Great War, died peacefully yesterday at his home near Charles Town, Virginia from natural causes.

**UPDATE**
May 5, 2011

Claude Choules, the last real soldier of the war, has died in Australia. This is officially the end of an era.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• World War
• Alsace
• Verdun
• Flanders
• Somme
• Marne
• Entente
• Central Powers
• Great War
• War to End All Wars
• warfare
• music
• WW1
• WWI
• veterans
• Memorial Day
• Remembrance Day
• last living
• world war
• Frank Buckles
• ww2
• adolf
• saut
• wwii

[mclaine33]

Frank Buckles just died yesterday. You may want to update your list.

[Friendo1231]

@mclaine33 I did, mate. Thanks for the update.

Another part of history is lost...

[lHoodlum]

and could any1 tell me the song that starts at 3:21 ive been looking for it for ages thanks!

[Friendo1231]

There's only one song I used, called "Arnhem" by Michael Giacchino from the Medal of Honor Frontline soundtrack. A nice piece indeed; he always writes some good music though.

[beerrox711]

i think it is about time the entire world paused and reflected on the sacrifices of these men and women no matter what side they fought in, these people werent even adults when they fought, this November 11 will be the last milestone WWI will hit that will have living participants so let us remember both sides for their bravery and honor

[beerrox711]

i have just learned of Franz Künstlers death and all i can say is that hes gone home with the rest of his countrymen and contemporaries, Rest In Peace, you and all of the "lost generation" deserve it, as MacArthur said "old soldiers never die, they only fade away"

[JacobSmithUK]

RIP you brave people

[TheSpartano75]

W L'ITALIA E IL PIAVE MORMORO' NON PASSA LO STRANIERO W L'ITALIA E L'UOMO CHE PIU' DI TUTTI L'AMATA SUA ECCELLENZA IL DUCE BENITO MUSSOLIN-I DUX MEA LUX

[lHoodlum]

rip harry PATCH LAST WW1 BRITISH SOLDIER RIP M8 im getting chills down my leg as im writeing this but rest in peace.. u served ur men and brothers with pride

[JustFrench80]

War is Hell on Hearth,we are free now, cause So many....Soldiers from So many Country,Gave their lives, for us to be Free...So we built the U.N, Europe,for them...for friendship! We most to never forget them all !

[JustFrench80]

NEVER MORE!!!

[JustFrench80]

Je refuse ces obsèques nationales. Ce nest pas juste dattendre le dernier poilu. Cest un affront fait à tous les autres, morts sans avoir eu les honneurs quils méritaient. On na rien fait pour eux. Ils se sont battus comme moi. Ils avaient droit à un geste de leur vivant Même un petit geste aurait suffi.

Ce fut les Paroles de Lazare Ponticelli décédé le 12 /03/2008 à 110 ans.

Alors Gardons la mémoire de nos anciens combatants C'est un devoir pour tous !*