Harry Patch receives his Legion Membership

09 July 2008

Britain’s last Tommy, Harry Patch, was guest of honour at Somerset County TRBL's Past, Present and Future event on Saturday 5 July 2008.

Held in Weston super Mare to mark Veterans and Youth Awareness week, the event celebrated the contributions made by our Cadet, Territorial and Reserve Forces, and those serving throughout the world today.

Activities included marching bands (the Sea Cadets from TS Weston, ACF Uphill Platoon Somerset Cadet Battalion and the ATC 290 WSM Squadron) with static displays, memorabilia, military vehicles and recruiting stands. Many Regimental Associations and ex-Service charities had stalls and there was a raffle to win a flight in a microlight.

During the afternoon Harry, who is the last survivor of trench warfare from World War One, was presented with his Royal British Legion Membership.

It was discovered earlier this year that Harry, who launched the County’s Poppy Appeal last year, wasn’t actually a member so Harry’s local Wells Branch signed him up. It was quite an occasion as the Legion’s oldest new recruit (he turned 110 last month) received his Membership Card from the County Chairman.

Harry Patch surrounded by Major Rikki Peters (County Chairman with membership card), Robin Dowdeswell (Chairman Wells Branch who accompanied Harry all afternoon) and Brigadier David Godsal MBE (County President)

 The day concluded with a Summer Concert in the Winter Gardens. Top of the bill was tenor Tim Pitman - “The Voice of Somerset”. Also appearing were  soprano Belinda Evans, who sang at the 2003 Rugby World cup in Australia; Stocking Tops, a close harmony group made up of 32 girls of all ages from in and around the city of Bath; Weston Brass, a local band of over 25 musicians of various ages and Reece Jackson with an Elvis tribute composed mostly of Elvis’s gospel songs. The concert was compared by Maurice Day.

A brief profile of the life of Harry Patch is available from this link (PDF).

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