As you likely know, the last know veteran of World War I died today. One can hardly call Ms. Florence Green's passing a tragedy, as she lived to be 110. However, it marked the end of an era. World War I was hailed as "the War to End All Wars," it was the "Great War." For Americans, it is overshadowed by the second World War and the mess that was Vietnam. Indeed, WWI is the only major war without a memorial on the Washington Mall.
Before I get on with the post, allow me to wax poetical. It is sad that we've lost our last living link to this immense human tragedy, this first truly "modern" war. However, the experiences of the Lost Generation are well-documented, many of their stories are preserved in stories, literature, film, and music. The same cannot be said of all aspects of our history. A language dies out every two weeks or so. Every time someone dies, if their experiences have never been shared, a treasure trove of wisdom and cultural knowledge dies with them. It's just something to think about the next time an elder is willing to talk to you. By hearing their stories, you preserve a little nugget of human history.
Here's a list of people who were the last of their peers. I've verified as much as possible, and excluded any claims which seem to be too suspect.
- English Civil War. 1642-51.
- William Hiseland. 1620-1732. 112.
- War of Austrian Succession. 1733-38.
- Jean Thurel. 1699-1807. 108. Also served in War of Polish Succession, Seven Years' War, American Revolution.
- French & Indian War. 1754-63.
- Jonathan Benjamin, US. 1738-1841. 103.
- American Revolution. 1775-83.
- Daniel Bakeman. 1759-1869. 110. Awarded pension, though no record of service is extant.
- John Gray. 1764-1868. 104. Verified.
- French Revolution. 1789-99.
- Nicolas Savin. 1768-1894. 126. Even if the birth date is inaccurate, he was still the last surviving veteran.
- Napoleonic Wars. 1803-15.
- Jean Adrin, France. 1797-1902. 105.
- Louis Victor Baillot, France. 1793-1898. 105. Last veteran of Waterloo.
- Pedro Martinez, Spain. 1789-1898. Last veteran of Trafalgar.
- Josephine Mazurkewicz, France. 1794-1896. 102. Last female veteran, an assistant surgeon. Also served in Crimean War.
- War of 1812. 1812-14.
- Hiram Cronk, US. 1800-1905. 105.
- Sir Provo Wallis, Britain. 1791-1892. 101. Also served in Napoleonic Wars.
- Texas War for Independence. 1835-36.
- Alfonso Steele. 1817-1911. 94. Last survivor of Battle of San Jacinto.
- James L Allen. 1815-1901. 86. Last survivor of Battle of the Alamo.
- Mexican-American War. 1846-48.
- Owen Thomas Edgar. 1831-1929. 98.
- Crimean War. 1853-56.
- Yves Prigent. 1833-1938. 105.
- Edwin Hughes. 1830-1927. 97. Last survivor of the Charge of the Light Brigade.
- Civil War. 1861-65.
- Albert Woolson, USA. 1847-1956. 109.
- Pleasant Crump, CSA. 1847-1951. 104. Last verified veteran.
- Indian Wars. 19th century.
- Fredrak Fraske. 1872-1973. 101.
- Dewey Beard, Lakota. 1857-1955. 98. Last survivor of Little Bighorn and Wounded Knee.
- Paris Commune. 1871.
- Adriene Lejeune, Communard. 1847-1942. 95.
- Spanish-American War. 1898.
- Jones Morgan. 1882-1993. 111.
- Boer War. 1880-81, 1899-1902.
- George Frederick Ives. 1881-1987. 106.
- WWI. 1914-18.
- Henry Allingham, UK. 1896-2009. 113. Last airman.
- Harry Patch, UK. 1898-2009. 111. Last soldier to fight in trenches.
- Claude Choules, UK. 1901-2011. 110. Last combat veteran, Royal Navy.
- Florence Green, UK. 1901-2012. 111. Last veteran, member of Women's Royal Air Force.
- October Revolution/ Russian Civil War. 1917.
- Boris Gudz, Red Army (Bolshevik). 1902-2006. 104.
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