Reflections on Passchendaele

The last Tommy says: 'It was a waste of time'

James Delingpole

15 August 2007

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Harry Patch, 109, recalls his career in Kitchener’s army

Two years ago, when he was a mere spring chicken of 106, the last surviving Tommy, Harry Patch, was invited to inspect the Lewis guns at the museum of his old regiment, the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, in Bodmin, Cornwall.

To help jog his memory, a young major in his party fumblingly demonstrated how to change the magazine. ‘I said: “Major, you’d have to be quicker than that in action,”’ recalls Harry in his soft Somerset burr. ‘I said: “Here. Give me the Lewis gun and set your watch.” So I took the magazine off and put a new one on. “There. Now how long was that?” I said. “Two seconds,” they said.’

How marvellous it is to be in the presence of living history. At 109, Harry may be only Britain’s second oldest man but he holds distinctions far more extraordinary than that: he is the only man left to have fought at Passchendaele; the only one left to have gone over the top. Indeed, of the five million infantrymen who fought between 1914 and 1918, Harry Patch is now the last man standing.

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Tina Louise

November 20th, 2007 10:30pm Report this comment

What a moving and intelligent read

Michael O'Shea ex Dorset Regiment

August 10th, 2008 12:12pm Report this comment

Just missed Harry's programme 'The Last Tommy' on Sky Channel 538 History, can you please tell me if it will be repeated. Thks.

Steve Duxbury

September 2nd, 2008 12:17am Report this comment

My father, William (Bill) Duxbury, was one of the few survivors of this battle, and he too seldom talked about it.
He spoke more to his grandchildren in his later years.
If anyone is talking to Harry, it would be nice if they would ask if he knew Bill or Billy Duxbury. Steve Duxbury

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