The Chancellor said:
"It was an honour for me to meet Henry and pass on Her Majesty's message. It is said that a hero is someone who believes in something bigger than himself, and acts upon that. Mr Allingham is a patriotic Britain citizen who has bravely served his country and deserves all of the tributes he is receiving today.
We must never forget the debt we owe to Henry and the millions of other British servicemen and women who have risked their lives in the defence of our country. They are our nation's pride, and - on our first Veterans' Day this month - I hope every community and every school will recognise with pride the heroes in their midst."
Veterans' Minister Tom Watson said:
"It is important that we should never forget the sacrifice made by Henry Allingham's generation both on the front line and on the home front.
Veterans' Day is intended to remind everyone in the UK not only of the sacrifice made by Henry's generation but by all those who have served this nation in the Armed Forces. A 'veteran' is any former member of the Armed Forces, irrespective of their gender or race. They have much to offer and all deserve our respect and support."
The Chancellor and Mr Watson also announced the detailed plans for a series of commemoration ceremonies and events to take place around the first National Veterans' Day on June 27th, and confirmed that the MOD will underwrite the remaining cost of creating the Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. This will allow construction to start immediately while giving the trustees time to raise the outstanding balance of £3.3 million.
NOTES FOR EDITORS
1. Mr Allingham is Britain's oldest man. Mr Allingham was 18 when the First World War began in 1914. He served as a mechanic in the Royal Naval Air Service (the forebear of the RAF), flying patrols in the North Sea as a navigator and repairing aircraft and engines at the battles of the Somme and Ypres. He is the last survivor of the Battle of Jutland in 1916, and the oldest remaining survivor of the First World War.
2. He was awarded France's highest military honour (the Legion d'Honneur) in 2003, in addition to various medals awarded by the UK. He retired to Eastbourne 40 years ago and will celebrate his birthday at the Grand Hotel there.
3. In recognition of this the RAF scheduled a Tornado fly-past at midday today to commemorate Mr Allingham's birthday and his service.
4. The Chancellor and Mr Watson met Mr Allingham at his party in the Grand Hotel Eastbourne.
5. The series of commemoration ceremonies and events to take place around the first National Veterans' Day on June 27thare:
* On 8 June, Her Majesty The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will visit the Royal Hospital in London to meet the Chelsea Pensioners.
* On 22 June, the Chancellor will visit the Imperial War Museum where he will set out plans for local schools and schoolchildren to establish archives of the memories of army, navy and air force veterans' in each local area at the Museum's "Their Past Your Future" event
* On 25 June, a parade will be held to mark National Service Day at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.
* On June 26, the 150th anniversary of the institution of the Victoria Cross on June 26th will be commemorated with a service at Westminster Abbey followed by a reception for all living recipients of the Victoria Cross and George Cross.
* On June 27, the first national Veterans' Day will be celebrated with events will in cities and local communities across the country to mark the service given by all who have been part of the HM Armed Forces. Veterans' Day will raise awareness of the diversity of the veterans' community and their contribution and relevance to life in the UK today. A special reception will be hosted by the Chancellor in the Cabinet War Rooms.
* On the same day ceremonies will take place up and down the country where veterans' medals will be presented. (There will be a ceremony in the Chancellor's constituency in Kirkcaldy, with the Defence Secretary present on the previous day, June 26).
* On 1 July, the 90th Anniversary of the first day of the Battle of the Somme, will be commemorated with a series of events in France.
* On 12 July, a Battle of Britain dinner and reception will be held at RAF Bentley Priory.
* On 27 July, a special event for veterans of the Korean War will be held at the Arboretum.
|
