Henry Allingham (112), the oldest Royal Navy veteran, was moved to tears as he received France's highest military honour in a ceremony at the official London residence of the French ambassador in recognition of his role in the First World War.
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I'll drink to that: Henry Allingham drinks a glass of champagne after receiving France's Legion d'Honneur. |
Henry Allingham (112), the oldest Royal Navy veteran, was moved to tears as he received France's highest military honour in a ceremony at the official London residence of the French ambassador in recognition of his role in the First World War.
"I'm so happy that I can be here with you today," he told the crowd of dignitaries and friends.
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"It means so much to me. I never thought in my wildest dreams that such a thing could happen."
Allingham, who has dedicated much of his time in recent years to giving talks to schoolchildren about his experiences, also made a call for peace.
"There will be no more wars, I hope. There will be one big nation," he said.
The veteran, who lives at a care home for blind ex-service personnel near Brighton, has held the rank of chevalier, or knight, in the Legion d'Honneur since 2003 and was promoted this afternoon to the rank of officer.
