source: wikipedia
Henry William Allingham (6 June 1896 – 18 July 2009) was a supercentenarian First World War veteran and, for one month, the oldest verified living man in the world. On 13 February 2007, he became the UK's second-oldest living person, and on 29 March 2009 the oldest ever British male, surpassing Welshman John Evans who died aged 112 years and 295 days. At age 113 years, 13 days, he became the oldest living man in the world, following the death of Japanese supercentenarian Tomoji Tanabe on 19 June 2009, which was confirmed by Guinness World Records. On 18 July 2009 Allingham died of natural causes aged 113 years and 42 days. At the time of his death, he was the 14th oldest verified man of all time.
Allingham was the oldest ever surviving member of any of the British Armed Forces and the oldest surviving veteran of the First World War. He was the last survivor of the Battle of Jutland, the last surviving member of the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) and the last surviving founding member of the Royal Air Force (RAF). From 2001 he had become the face of the First World War veterans' association and made frequent public appearances to ensure that awareness of the death and destruction of the First World War was not lost to modern generations. He received many honours and awards for his First World War service and his longevity.
World War I record:
Allegiance: United Kingdom
Service/branch: Royal Navy / Royal Air Force
Years of service: August 1915 – 16 April 1919
Rank: Rigger Aero, Aircraft Mechanic Second Class
Unit: Royal Naval Air Service, Great Yarmouth Naval Air Station
No. 12 Squadron RNAS
Aircraft Depot, Dunkirk
Battles/wars:
First World War
* Battle of Jutland
* Western Front
Awards:
Freedom of the town of Eastbourne
Freedom of the Town of Saint-Omer
Freeman of Brighton and Hove
Officer Légion d'honneur
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Gold Medal of Saint-Omer
Other work: Ford Motor Company
read more here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Allinghamhttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/5856015/Worlds-oldest-man-Henry-Allingham-dies.htmlhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6958420.stmhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/jul/18/henry-allingham-oldest-man-dies
